Fylde Council is seeking input from residents to better understand community needs and requirements for PlayZones in the area. The PlayZone Programme is a new investment initiative aimed at addressing inequalities in physical activity and access to facilities by funding community-led spaces.
The programme, primarily funded by the Football Foundation, will focus on communities with the greatest need, delivering new or refurbished safe and accessible multi-sport pitches. These high-quality facilities will offer space for recreational physical activities such as football, netball, rugby, cricket, hockey, or basketball.
While football may be a popular choice at certain sites, the council is committed to community engagement and ensuring that interests guide the process. Non-football PlayZones will be considered where applicable.
The Football Foundation has identified four groups facing the greatest inequalities in physical activity as part of this national programme, which Fylde Council aims to benefit:
- Lower socio-economic groups
- Women and girls
- Disabled people and people with long-term health conditions
- Ethnically diverse communities
Numerous locations within Fylde have been earmarked as priorities based on the criteria set by the Football Foundation and data available to the council.
The potential locations are:
- Bridges Playing Fields (Warton)
- Memorial Park (Kirkham)
- Ashton Gardens (St Annes)
- Rawstorne Centre (Freckleton)
Councillor Jayne Nixon, Lead Member for Tourism, Leisure and Culture said: “We would like to hear from a wide range of people in Fylde, particularly those who consider themselves part of the above groups. We need to understand how many PlayZones might be required across the borough, how people want to use them and for what activities, as well as what barriers they are experiencing.”
Face-to-face conversations with the community will take place over the coming weeks:
Wednesday May 22nd
4pm – 6pm Freckleton Parish Council – Rawstorne Centre, Bush Lane, Freckleton.
6.30pm – 8.30pm Bryning -with-Warton Parish Council – Blackburn Pavilion, Bridges Playing Fields, Warton.
Thursday May 23rd
4pm – 6pm St Annes Town Council, 5 St George’s Road, Lytham St Anne’s FY8 2AE.
6.30pm – 8.30pm Kirkham Town Council, Community Centre Mill Street, Preston PR4 2AN.
To have your say in the consultation, visit the questionnaire webpage here: https://forms.office.com/r/qiLNScguh9
Residents can provide feedback until Wednesday 5 June 2024. More information on the PlayZones Programme can be found at https://footballfoundation.org.uk/playzones-programme.
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