| Topic: | Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Consultation on the future of the borough's parks and libraries | |
| Posted by: | Francis Rowe | |
| Date/Time: | 23/10/15 18:54:00 |
| Una, you have a fairly fundamental misunderstanding of how these sports facilities are used. Most will be rented from the Council's leisure provider by organised community sports clubs who collect membership fees to pay. They generally play in leagues overseen by the sports governing bodies which have minimum standards in terms of the pitches and facilities that need to be provided to visiting teams. In many cases visitors will have travelled a significant distance and can't be expected to change by the side of the pitch. This is even more the case with children's teams. Sports use of Gunnersbury has declined significantly over the last decade or so because the facilities are not up to scratch. This has led to a decline in the money available for maintenance. If I remember correctly there used to be three reasonable cricket pitches at the site during the summer. Now there is one that just about does for social matches and I can't remember the last time I saw a game of rugby player there. The only way to reverse this decline is to invest in good facilities. |