council from which it can present a formal application to the Football Foundation concerning the fine detail of the work required to the playing surfaces and the drainage systems. The famous pitches are now due for a dramatic facelift thanks to the planned multi million pound redevelopment of the whole area. The first stage in the rebirth was marked in early July when Hackney Borough Council gave planning permission to an application for facilities and pitches to be replaced and relocated under preparatory plans for the 2012 London Games and beyond. Changing room buildings will be demolished at North and South Marsh to be replaced with new ones, with ‘ancillary activities’ also being developed at the latter site. Mabley Green will also receive a replacement changing room building, while the pitches on East Marsh are to be relocated ‘temporarily’ to the North and South Marshes and sporting pitches reconfigured. Resurfacing of one of the two existing all weather sports pitches at Mabley Green will include the addition of fifteen metre high floodlighting to replace existing ones as well as associated landscaping.
The news marks the beginning of the multi-million pound process of change for the sporting hub as plans are laid to
intensify and diversify use of the huge hectarage of pitches and to markedly improve the standard of changing provision.
East Marsh - 16% of the entire area (12 pitches) - is to be given over to the Olympic Delivery Authority as part of the development for the 2012 Olympic Park, although it will stay in use until May 2011 when work begins in earnest to provide parking facilities for the Games. But what then? Despite protests by Sunday leagues, green groups and other lobbyists, assurances have been given that East Marsh will be returned to its former use after the Games.
Hackney Council is adamant that one of its most prized ‘possessions’ will return to its original state after the sporting extravaganza has passed. “In 2013, the Marshes will be back to what they are most famous for,” says Councillor Guy Nicholson, cabinet member for regeneration and the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games Cabinet; “grassroots football, as well as rugby and schools athletics.” He also stresses the importance of the Olympics involvement, stating that “It will act as a catalyst to push forward the investment package for Hackney Marshes.”
The question-mark hanging over the
future of the Marshes post-London Games has been categorically removed,
he adds, thanks to a “potent legal agreement” which ensures the return of East Marsh as a fully functioning community sport focus. “We can do no more than what we’ve already done to ensure the return of the East Marsh to its original use,” says Nicholson. But, beyond the legal commitment,
there is a widespread will to see an improvement in the quality of provision at the Marshes. News of the changing room projects will come as a relief to ‘weekend warriors’ and sports providers alike as efforts intensify to bring ageing facilities in line with today’s needs and expectations. The Football Association (FA), Sport England and the London Development Agency (LDA) have, together, agreed a shared capital investment which could reach as much as £7m, with the FA understood to be matching the £3m- £3.5m that Hackney Borough Council and the LDA have so far committed. That money comes at a price - nothing less than the resurgence of the Marshes as a modern provision, able to serve changing demands. Improved 11-a-side and mini football pitches and rugby pitches on North Marsh, a new cricket oval and mini youth pitches on South Marsh and, on Mabley Green, new all- weather pitches to add to the changing facilities. On East Marsh, improvements
THE MARSHES
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