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downsmail.co.uk Pitching in for sport in Kent
A MASSIVE blueprint for the future of sport in Maidstone is now emerging at Maidstone Borough Council, following two years of local and national consultations, writes Dennis Fowle.
In linewith government require-
ments, the council has commis- sioned and received two major reports – one titled “Sports Facili- ties Strategy” and the other “Play- ing Pitch Strategy” – which are being considered by council com- mittees. Once agreed, they will provide
evidence for reviews of the bor- ough’s now-adopted Local Plan andwill be significant in the coun- cil’s development decisions, future budgeting needs and grant fund- ing applications. The Playing Field Strategy will need regular reviews and updates. The demand for sporting activi-
ties is expected to increase asMaid- stone’s population expands by an estimated 22,380 by 2031. Fitness and swimming feature
highly in public preferences, in a borough where general participa- tion rates in sport and physical ac- tivity are higher than county and regional averages. Almost 27% of the population belong to sports clubs (national average: 22%). The reports make detailed as-
sessments of “the quantity, quality, accessibility and availability” of Maidstone’s outdoor and indoor facilities, forecast needs for new and improved facilities to 2031 and set out options. The council aims to approve the
final strategies, following consulta- tions, in the next year and include recommendations and action plans. Facilities needed are shown as:
Swimming pools – one 25m four-lane pool; Health and fitness – 187 equip-
Support for Mote clubs
ment stations. Football – four adult pitches; four youth 11 v 11 pitches; four youth 9 v 9 pitches; two mini-soc- cer 7 v 7 pitches; twomini-soccer 5 v 5 pitches; a 3G turf pitch; Sports halls – four badminton- sized sports halls (meeting Sport England requirement for maxi- mumflexibility); Cricket – three grass pitches (or three artificial turf wickets, per- haps on existing sites); RugbyUnion – 1.5 pitches (arti- ficial pitch to be considered); Rugby League – 1.5 pitches; Hockey – artificial grass pitches (perhaps resurfacing South Park pitch and look at providing an extra pitch); Lacrosse – a grass pitch and arti- ficial grass pitch. The report says there are no pro-
jected additional facility needs for: squash, indoor and outdoor tennis, indoor and outdoor bowls, athlet- ics tracks andAmerican football. Some school sites could see
greater use. The highly-detailed, 150-page
Playing Pitch Strategy takes a very close look at the pitches and facili- ties across the borough for these
AS Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) considers replacing or refur- bishing the town’s leisure centre – its conditionisgivingconcerns – the suggestion is being made that the needs of the adjoiningMoteCricket Club and Maidstone Rugby Club should be reviewed at the same time. The management operating contract for the centre runs out in 2024. The cricket club (two pitches) and
rugby club (three pitches) have been trying for about 20 years to replace the100-year-pluspavilion,whichisin- adequate formodern needs and pre- ventsapotential returnofKentcounty cricket. The two sports facility reports now
seven sports: football, cricket, rugby, rugby league, hockey, American football and lacrosse. It also puts forwardmany signif-
icant proposals for the sports, indi- vidual clubs and their sites, several of which are very costly in local sporting terms. They are also pri- oritised: highmediumor low. The report suggests capital and
revenue costs of new facilities could be provided through various means, including S106/Community Infrastructure Levy from new de- velopments locally and also from grant funding.
beforeMBC consider TheMote site, Mote Park and the problems facing the clubs. They recommend support
forbothclubs.TheMotesiteisowned (intrust)bythecricket clubandnego- tiations continue over renewal of the expired50-year lease/licencetorugby. The reports consider the pitches
and facilities could now be inade- quatefor therugbyclubandsays the clubshouldbesupportedtosetupits own site. One possibility for a new site is an artificial grass pitch, at a cost of about £850,000. Thereport suggests thatanunder-
usedfootballpitchinMoteParknear The Mote could be converted for
rugbyuse.The report also gives high priority to improving the pavilion (£200k) and upgrading practice nets (£20k).
Pontoonwill help to keep cadets afloat
MAIDSTONE SeaCadets are de- lighted to have finally realised their ambition of opening a new pontoon on the river, after years of financial constraints. Former town mayor Cllr Mal-
colm Greer made it his ambition to raise the money that has eluded the cadets for more than 30 years. On July 7, he attended the offi-
cial opening ceremony, along with 100 guests, including the currentmayor ofMaidstone, Cllr David Naghi. The group is pic- tured. CllrGreer said: “It has been the
aspiration of this Sea Cadet Unit for over 30 years, to have their own pontoon, to enable them to
take to the water more fre- quently. “I decided to take on this proj-
ect and while it has been very hard work, the culmination of severalmonths of hard work has finally come to a wonderful con- clusion, with more than 100 guests present to witness the launch. “It ismy hope that this facility
will greatly enhance the experi- ences of this Sea Cadet Unit, and attractmore young people to join them.” Councillor Greer raised more
than £100,000 for his chosen char- ities of the Blackthorn Trust, Kent Lung Awareness and the cadets during his year asmayor.
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Maidstone East August 2018
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