PRESS RELEASE

North West facility framework sets out pathway for future of sports delivery in the region

Sport England North West has published a Regional Sports Facilities Framework which maps the potential future priorities and investment in sporting infrastructure across the region for the next decade to support increased participation in sport and active recreation.

The framework sets out the core facility development needs for the full range of Sport England priority sports across the region, to act as a reference and evidence base for investors and project developers across the North West, and highlights the key facility needs and strategic objectives for many of the most popular sports in the country.

The framework was delivered by specialist sport and leisure consultants Strategic Leisure, in partnership with a steering group representing Local Authorities, Leisure Trusts, National Governing Bodies (NGBs), County Sports Partnerships (CSPs) and the North West Regional Development Agency.

It aims to inform future investment needs for the region, irrespective of the partnerships or potential funding behind a scheme involving sports provision, and to ensure that identified needs/gaps in facility provision are highlighted as priorities for development. The framework will inform the future planning, development and delivery of facilities in the region over the next 10 years.

The process involved extensive consultation across the region, involving the six CSPs, NGBs, local authorities, the Higher and Further Education sector, key regional stakeholders, and Sport England. The consultation meetings and six regional workshops identified existing levels of provision, with locations. This data was then used to produce a number of maps illustrating the distribution of different facility types, and what this means in terms of access for relevant sports.

Managing Director of Strategic Leisure, Rachel Fowler said: “Our consultation identified many of the greatest current challenges for provision, including the quality of some existing facilities, the reduction in available capital funds, the gaps in existing provision and how the need for such facilities relates to the Sport England Strategy – Grow, Sustain, Excel, in terms of increasing participation in the region.”

Among many recommendations and key targets, the framework highlights the potential for the development of two 50m swimming pools , new dedicated cycling provision, including a sub-regional velodrome, and an eight-court sports hall for performance badminton and basketball use, as well as the investment in a variety of sub-regional and local developments to improve community access.

The regional facilities framework is available on line and provides an accessible tool to support strategic planning at regional, sub-regional and local level for all partners involved in the development of sports facilities.

For more information please contact:

Duncan Jenner, Senior Consultant, Strategic Leisure: 07921 780377

Rachel Fowler, Managing Director, Strategic Leisure: 07711 029759