We are excited to be part of a new community partnership that has plans for a bright and active future for Netham Park Pavilion and sports pitches.
We have joined up with Bristol Co-operative Gym, Bristol Pakistanis Cricket Club and Easton Cowboys and Cowgirls to bid to run the pavilion and playing fields at Netham Park for the community. This is an exciting proposal that if successful will see much more activity open to all taking place at the park.
The partnership is submitting an expression of interest to Bristol City Council’s sports facilities transfer programme, which aims to lease 12 sites to external operators to be run at no cost to the council. The deadline for expressions of interest is 31 March and the council’s timeline for the programme states that asset transfer would be complete by February 2022.
Guy Lochhead, founder, and coach of Bristol Co-operative Gym, said: “As the first cooperatively run gym in the UK, we’re excited about how this opportunity will allow us to welcome many more people to our unique gym and to expand and diversify the activities we offer. We are really pleased to be working with other like-minded local partners to develop a community-led centre for social sport and physical activity.”
The group wants to offer straightforward, affordable pitch hire for training and play; a range of physical health and fitness activities including gym classes and walking groups; and improve health outcomes for local communities. Our aspirations for the site include reopening and refurbishing the pavilion building with a dedicated gym and cafe; upgrading the sports pitches to include cricket nets, an all-weather football pitch, and better lighting.
Rebecca Swist, chair of the Easton Cowgirls Women’s Football Team, said: “I am very excited for our club, the Easton Cowboys and Cowgirls Sports and Social Club, to be part of this amazing opportunity to create a space for inclusive and accessible sports. We’ve got strong roots in our local community and are looking forward to working with our partners and neighbours, bringing folks together and, of course, using the space and pitches.”
Thank you to everyone that came to the community meeting on Tuesday 16 March to hear about the proposals being put forward by the group. Over 80 people attended the meeting and there was lots of constructive discussion and important views expressed. It was great to have input from the community at such an early stage in the project. We’ll be following the meeting with further discussions.
In the meantime, join the mailing list for updates, complete this online form if you’d like to be involved or email nethamparksports@gmail.com if you have any further comments, questions or suggestions.
