Plans to revamp ‘tired and unused’ Forest Rec basketball court submitted to council

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Overlooking the sports pitches at the Forest Recreation Ground. Image credit: Google.

By Lauren Monaghan, Junior Local Democracy Reporter

Plans to revamp and extend a basketball court at the Forest Recreation Ground have been submitted to the city council to encourage more people to get into sport.

Sports Labs Ltd, on behalf of Nottingham Forest in the Community, applied to Nottingham City Council on Thursday (January 30) to revamp the site at the Forest Recreation Ground.

The updates come as part of the PlayZone Programme by the Football Foundation, which aims to tackle inequalities in accessing sport by giving money to update community facilities.

The scheme’s priority groups are those from lower socio-economic backgrounds, women and girls, disabled people and those with long-term health conditions and those from ethnically diverse communities.

The proposals involve upgrading the existing basketball court at the recreation ground into a PlayZone along with new benches for spectators, goals created within the fences and four basketball hoops for casual play.

PlayZones are inclusive sports facilities available for community use all year round.

The size of the space is also proposed to be extended from 23.5 metres by 14 metres to 30 metres by 20 metres.

Indicative PlayZone Paint Arrangement for the updated space. Image credit: Sports Labs Ltd.

According to planning papers, the surrounding neighbourhood does not have nearby access to sports facilities similar to the one proposed, with documents saying: “This facility will be made available to local clubs and community groups who would otherwise have nowhere to socialise and
interact.”

Papers say the existing facilities have become “tired and unused”, and the revamp and four new floodlights will allow for year-round use even during winter months.

If approved, it is hoped the facility will encourage and increase physical activity mainly through football but also other sports.

Evening and weekend use would also be available for local clubs and community groups.

The proposed opening hours for the pitch are between 9am to 10pm Monday to Sunday.

The Football Foundations Local Football Facilities Plan shows Nottingham being in need of more sports facilities.

Its report shows the city requires nine artificial pitches, 58 natural grass pitches, seven changing spaces and six small-sided facilities.

Papers say: “This development would help towards providing a high quality small-sided facility and in addition to providing a space that is made available for community use.”

Nottingham City Council will decide on the application at a later date.

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