Football Pitches Built At Kings Park?
Local residents are being asked to give their views on a proposal to create football pitches in Kings Park, Bournemouth.
The Council is proposing to enter into a management agreement with AFC Bournemouth so that two professional quality training football pitches and two smaller all-weather pitches can be developed on land adjacent to the AFC Bournemouth football stadium.
Residents are invited to two informal drop-in sessions at Kings Park Athletic Centre Café to find outmore about the proposals and give their feedback. These sessions follow previous public consultation on the proposals in the summer. Representatives from the council’s Parks team will be on hand throughout the sessions.
The drop-in sessions will take place on:
Wednesday 23 November 2011, 3.30pm – 8pm
Thursday 24 November 2011, 10am – 3pm
Councillor Rod Cooper, Cabinet Member for Housing and Environment, said:
“It’s important that local residents have their say and I would welcome anyone interested in finding out more information about the proposed football pitches to pop in to one of the drop-in sessions.
“We are working closely with the football club on these proposals and if this facility was tobe progressed we will want to ensure that the public are able to gain access to the site and make use of the pitches.”
If agreed, two professional pitches would be available as well as two smaller all-weather pitches suitable for 5-a-side football. The training pitches would be available for one competitive public fixture per pitch per week and the public will be able to book the all-weather pitches through AFC Bournemouth.
Subject to planning permission, AFC Bournemouth would undertake all development works and would operate and manage the facility. In the longer-term the Council would receive payment from AFC Bournemouth which means the Council could reinvest the money to maintain and improve other local parks and open spaces. The Council would be responsible for ensuring that the facility is available for public useby setting public use times as well as setting price limits.
Subject to planning permission, development could start in Spring 2012.