Post by Cantankerous Gas on Sept 19, 2014 15:17:54 GMT
DECISIONS over plans to transform the Bristol Combination's run-down Lockleaze ground and the adjoining Bonnington Walk playing fields into a new sporting complex are due to be announced next month.
Proposals for a new clubhouse, complete with changing rooms and community facilities, as well as an indoor sports hall, all-weather pitches for both rugby and football, four further grass pitches, a fitness centre and squash courts, have been submitted to Bristol City Council and South Gloucestershire District Council.
The Combination envisage a phased £9 million project on the site, which includes 16 acres of land it purchased in 1948 plus 14 acres belonging to Bristol City Council.
The first phase of the Lockleaze Sports Centre development would be financed by the sale of a parcel of land for 90 homes. Grants from a range of bodies and organisations will be sought to help finance further phases of the ambitious scheme, which has taken several years to come to fruition because of complicating factors involved in any potential change of use to the site.
The Combination's ground is in South Gloucestershire, and currently is home to the clubhouses of the Ashley Down and Bishopston clubs. Pitches utilised by Ashley Down are also in South Gloucestershire, but the adjacent Bonnington Walk pitches used by Bishopston are over the boundary on Bristol City Council-owned land.
Ashley Down want to continue using their clubhouse, but Bishopston will be based in the planned new clubhouse.
It is expected that students from University of the West of England, whose main Frenchay campus is virtually adjacent to the Combination Ground, will be major users of the new centre.
The proposed development is totally separate from moves by Dings Crusaders to sell their nearby ground and move to new facilities at Frenchay.
Proposals for a new clubhouse, complete with changing rooms and community facilities, as well as an indoor sports hall, all-weather pitches for both rugby and football, four further grass pitches, a fitness centre and squash courts, have been submitted to Bristol City Council and South Gloucestershire District Council.
The Combination envisage a phased £9 million project on the site, which includes 16 acres of land it purchased in 1948 plus 14 acres belonging to Bristol City Council.
The first phase of the Lockleaze Sports Centre development would be financed by the sale of a parcel of land for 90 homes. Grants from a range of bodies and organisations will be sought to help finance further phases of the ambitious scheme, which has taken several years to come to fruition because of complicating factors involved in any potential change of use to the site.
The Combination's ground is in South Gloucestershire, and currently is home to the clubhouses of the Ashley Down and Bishopston clubs. Pitches utilised by Ashley Down are also in South Gloucestershire, but the adjacent Bonnington Walk pitches used by Bishopston are over the boundary on Bristol City Council-owned land.
Ashley Down want to continue using their clubhouse, but Bishopston will be based in the planned new clubhouse.
It is expected that students from University of the West of England, whose main Frenchay campus is virtually adjacent to the Combination Ground, will be major users of the new centre.
The proposed development is totally separate from moves by Dings Crusaders to sell their nearby ground and move to new facilities at Frenchay.
www.bristolpost.co.uk/Combination-unveil-plan-pound-9-million-complex/story-22949137-detail/story.html#tpvH7wQ0h9QX6k3Y.99
