Plans for new sports pavilion

Owzat!: Front view showing the new sports pavilion in Lambeth, it will be home to Kennington United Cricket Cricket Club, but will also be available to other sporting groups.

Lambeth Life
www.lambeth.gov.uk
15 October 2008 • Page 20

Plans for new sports pavilion

SURREY County Cricket Club has unveiled plans for a new community sports pavilion in Lambeth – and this month residents will be able to get a closer look at the plans.
The club’s community team is helping local groups to raise the cash and push through plans for the pavilion, which will be used by the borough’s only league club – Kennington United Cricket Club. It will also be available community groups and local football teams and schools to use. The final plans could include a bar and kitchen facilities, a learning resource room that would provide
access to IT facilities, and a multi purpose function room.
The move is being backed by Lambeth Council and community groups the Kennington Association and Friends of Kennington Park.
Around 80 per cent of the £1 million needed for the pavilion could come from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).
George Foster, Corporate Responsibility and Fundraising Manager, at the Brit Oval said: “About six or seven years ago we realised that there was not a league cricket club in Lambeth so we helped the community set up Kennington United. They play in Kennington Park, but the changing rooms are not really up to it.
“A couple of years ago we realised there was this funding stream available from the ECB. Towards the end of this year we are hoping to put in a planning application with Lambeth Council and also apply for the funding.”
The aim is to have the pavilion available from summer 2010, but residents can get a closer look at the plans at a consultation day on 22 October at the Oval.
George said: “This project is at the heart of our community programme. We expect planning sign-off at some point next year but it’s important to involve the local people in a consultation process at this early stage.
“We want this pavilion to provide as much as possible for the community around Kennington Park, and that means it needs to be a lot more than just changing rooms and showers.”