Funding considered for ‘controversial’ plans to upgrade ‘condemned’ sports courts

Entrance to Impington Sports Centre.
-Credit: (Image: Google)


Funding of over £50,000 is being considered for a “controversial” project to refurbish “condemned” sports courts at Impington Sports Centre. A report published by South Cambridgeshire District Council said the courts at the sports centre had once been a “central hub” for Cambridgeshire netball leagues, clubs, tournaments, and development programs.

However, they were “condemned for match play and league use” in 2018 after the court surface was considered to be below acceptable standards. The sports centre was awarded funding from England Netball and Sports England to resurface the courts and install floodlighting in 2019.

Planning permission was also granted for the work in 2020, but the refurbishment never took place after the sports centre faced around £650,000 of losses during 2019/20 and 2020/21. The centre reportedly stopped non-essential spending and facility development, which meant it missed the project deadline and lost the funding.

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The district council was allocated over £1million from the government as part of its Rural England Prosperity Fund to invest in projects in the area. The sports centre asked for £100,000 of this funding to resurface the playing courts, as well as renovating the changing rooms and installing floodlights.

Officers said that as the funding pot was oversubscribed, and therefore a lower amount of funding - £53,000 - was being proposed for the sports centre. They added that this would enable the centre to proceed with the resurfacing work, as it still needed planning permission for the floodlights.

Councillors considered the proposed funding at a grants advisory committee meeting this week (September 25). Councillor Sunita Hansraj said it was a difficult decision for her whether to support the funding allocation as she said it was a “controversial” project. She said there were people in the area concerned about the plans to install floodlights, and about parking problems being created by people visiting the sports centre.

However, Councillor Bill Handley said the committee was only being asked to consider the funding to allow the resurfacing work to take place. He said it was not the place of the advisory committee to consider the planning debate. Cllr Handley said: “I get all the concerns, but what these people are asking for is money to make the courts usable again, without it they cannot even use them in the day, that to me seems reasonable. I would be in favour of supporting this.”

Councillor Jose Hales said he believed the parking concerns were relevant. He added that he believed it was important for the committee to highlight any concerns about the project, so they could be taken on board by the lead cabinet member for finance who will make the final decision on approving the funding.

The committee agreed to generally support the funding, but asked officers to seek clarity on some of the outstanding issues. Councillors also considered funding applications for six other projects in the area, and agreed unanimously to support them. Those other projects included:

Papworth Printworks - The charity Allia asked for £75,576 to complete the fit out and greening of a co-working café, within a new social enterprise hub in Papworth Everard. The committee supported offering £32,555 of funding for the project.

Cambourne Scout Hut and Men’s Shed - Cambourne Town Council asked for £100,000 to install a permanent modular building on land near the allotments for the Scouts and Girl Guide groups in the town, as well as other groups in the town. The committee supported offering £90,000 of funding for the project.

Cottenham Community Centre - The community centre asked for £38,000 to repurpose an underused dance studio to make it accessible for different activities. The committee supported offering the full amount asked for.

Willow Grange Farm Shop and Cafe - Willow Grange Farm asked for £100,000 to create a new farm ship with a “focus on the community”. The committee supported offering £50,000 of funding for the project.

Wysing Arts Centre - the centre asked for £98,033 to make it more accessible for visitors and artists. The committee supported offering £80,000 of funding for the project.

Jacks Gelato - The company asked for £100,000 to expand its production. The committee supported offering £40,000 of funding for the project.