Purpose

Key decision for match funding spend working
with the Football Foundation on project to put Artificial Grass
Pitches on our sports hub sites.

Content

The Cabinet considered
a report of the Director of Economy and Place / Cabinet Member for
Climate Change and Environment, which sought approval to change
some of the grass pitches at two of the Council’s sports hub
sites, Bowlee Park and Heywood Sports
Village, to artificial grass.
 
The Play Pitch Programme & Project Development
Officerwas in
attendance to present the information
and to answer the questions of the Cabinet Members.
 
The
Officer informed that the project relating to Bowlee site would also include the demolition of
the old pavilion building and its replacement with a new purpose
built facility. The project would be jointly
funded by the football foundation (up to 60%) and from the
Council’s section 106 for formal sport.
 
Resolved:

1.           
That
 the feasibility report (in Appendix 1)
relating to the installation of artificial grass pitches at two of
the Council’s hub sites (Bowlee
and Heywood Central Sports Village) be noted;

2.           
That it be
noted that the feasibility study estimates the capital costs of the
two projects combined as £11million;

3.           
That it be
noted that the detailed stage of the feasibility study would revise
the scope of the projects with the view to be fully funded through
Football Foundation grant funding and Council’s match funding
as outlined in the Finance section of the report;

4.           
That the
total project cost of the project be approved in principle and that
the service be authorised to proceed with the application process
with the Football Foundation to move the project forward to
finalising costs for each site and look at agreeing the final
project funding and initiating the build and options within each
feasibility study for Heywood and Bowlee;

5.           
That the
Director of Economy and Place in consultation with the Portfolio
Holder for Climate Change and Environment, the Portfolio Holder for
Finance and Growth and with the Director of Corporate Services be
given delegated authority to approve the final project costs and
professional fees;

6.           
That it
be noted that a further report would be
submitted to update on the final project cost and professional fees
and to request final approval.
Reason
for decision:
A
detailed feasibility report that the council had commissioned
detailed the potential of two hub sites for the installation of
artificial grass pitches (and associated facilities) which would
allow fixtures to be completed and also
could be managed for community use outside match times.
The
number of fixtures/use of grass pitches was limited to the
condition of the pitch where as the
artificial grass pitch could be used in all weather conditions and
was far more hard wearing.
Initial
engagement with the Football Foundation and also the county
Football Association had taken place and their feedback was
positive to allow the Council to move
the project forward to look at designs and costings in more
detail.
 
Alternatives considered and rejected:
The
feasibility study initially looked at all four hub sites for
artificial grass pitches. However, the report discounted the
Firgrove site because of limitations
with access and parking and also the
condition of the current grass pitches at the site which are very
good. The Littleborough site
was also considered but the issues
around the new school at the site would make that option currently
not viable as the school project may include an artificial grass
pitch.
The
feasibility study recognised the geographical position of the
Bowlee site and the Council explored
with neighbouring boroughs if they wanted to join the project, or
if the site could alleviate any issues that their playing pitch
strategies recognised. The working group engaged with both Bury and
Manchester councils and they both fed back that their supply was
sufficient in their neighbouring wards and they declined the option
of a joint project but they both supported the project and would
help in engagement with user groups from within their
boroughs.
The
group had also engaged with the adjacent school who were willing to
join the working group with a view to using one of the Bowlee artificial grass pitches within their
curriculum during the day.