Community help wanted to improve future for Fleming Park
| Published: 16th June 2008 13:23 |
An important report looking at the Council's future aspirations for the borough's main sports venue - Fleming Park will come under the spotlight next week.
The Eastleigh Local Area Committee will consider a report by the Project Manager for Recreation seeking consultation with borough residents about the future recreational needs at the 45 hectare (112 acres) park and golf course.
The report refers to the aims of the Council's Sports & Recreation Strategy for the period 2002-2007 and the investment of over £17 million in new and improved facilities across the borough to achieve these.
At Fleming Park, this has included the construction of a showcase ground floor entrance for the Leisure Centre, new floodlit artificial training pitches, improved lighting and car parking.
Now the Council has to prepare a new strategy and wants to develop Fleming Park to meet future needs. The report is highlighting changing participation and trends in sport and a declining use of Fleming Park Golf Course.
Council Leader, Keith House explains that the Council wants the community's views on a whole range of ideas before it embarks on any future plans.
"We want to look at a number of options for the best use of our recreation land. Fleming Park is a vital green lung through our built up area. We need to make sure people are able to make good use of it. Ideas suggested so far include more informal recreation with the development of an Urban Park with family orientated opportunities for walking, cycling or even picnics, and the provision of Adventure Play Zones keep the younger community fit. We will need to look at the Golf Course which covers a very large area of Fleming Park but used by a relative minority of the borough's residents. And we will want to see if the range of sports provided at the Leisure Centre meets the changing needs of local people."
But he stressed "First and foremost we want to get people's views on what the community want for their park."
The Eastleigh Local Area Committee and Cabinet are being recommended to undertake a consultation over a minimum of eight week period that will include the school summer holidays. This will include leaflets delivered to residents in the closer vicinity to Fleming Park, discussions with user groups and informal consultation exercises in and around the Park. Details of the possible options and consultation exercise is also available on the Council's website.
A copy of the report can be found on: http://www.eastleigh.gov.uk/meetings/ieListDocuments.asp?CId=306&MId=3791&Ver=4
and click in ‘Late Papers'.
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