Perry Barr Holford Drive Community Sports Hub to get £500,000 boost

A new Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) is set to be developed at Holford Drive Community Sports Hub (HDCSH) in the months following the Commonwealth Games
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Plans for a £500,000 upgrade for a community sports facility in Perry Barr have been confirmed by Birmingham City Council.

The new Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) will be developed at Holford Drive Community Sports Hub (HDCSH) later in the year after the Commonwealth Games have ended on August 8.

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Birmingham 2022 is currently continuing discussions with the Holford Drive team on how the Perry Barr facility might be utilised during the Commonwealth Games which start on 28 July.

The council says the upgrade will include the addition of floodlights which will enable year-round use and dramatically increasing times sporting activities can be provided for people in the area.

Sports Hub in Perry Bar to get a £500,000 boostSports Hub in Perry Bar to get a £500,000 boost
Sports Hub in Perry Bar to get a £500,000 boost

Currently HDCSH attracts around 800 people per week from Perry Barr and the surrounding areas to participate in a whole range of sporting activities.

These attendances however fall to around 300 during the winter months due to a lack of facilities that can be utilised during the darker nights.

Who is funding the upgrade of Holford Drive Community Sports Hub (HDCSH)

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The project is jointly funded by Sport England and Birmingham City Council’s capital contribution towards the Commonwealth Games.

The authority says it will further strengthen the Birmingham 2022 legacy.

A total of £366,685 of National Lottery funding is being contributed by Sport England with the Birmingham City Council element of the Birmingham 2022 capital budget supplying the remaining £150,000.

Consultation into Perry Barr Regeneration closes on September 29Consultation into Perry Barr Regeneration closes on September 29
Consultation into Perry Barr Regeneration closes on September 29

What have the stakeholders said about the upgrade to the sports hub in Perry Barr?

Sport England Chief Executive, Tim Hollingsworth, said: “Local people are at the heart of our thinking when it comes to what the legacy of Birmingham 2022 will look like, and how it should provide opportunities for communities to get active.

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“As an important space within Perry Barr, investment to enhance Holford Drive and create a facility that can be used all year round is fantastic news, and a great example of how the impact of the Games can continue beyond 2022.”

Cllr Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “As I’ve said all along, the legacy of Birmingham 2022 is massively important to us – the Games are more than 11 days of sport and we need to look at how we build on the years of good work provided for the community by brilliant organisations like Holford Drive Community Sports Hub.

"The ongoing transformation of Perry Barr includes up to 2,000 new homes and we need to ensure improved infrastructure and facilities, such as those provided at the Hub, are available to the increased number of people that will call Perry Barr home.

“This project will help us achieve that, ensuring that many more people can lead active and healthy lives.”

Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games kicks off the search to find the 2,022 Batonbearers Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games kicks off the search to find the 2,022 Batonbearers
Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games kicks off the search to find the 2,022 Batonbearers
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John Crabtree, Chair of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, said: “An important part of the Games Partner legacy plan is an ambition to increase physical activity and wellbeing and the investment that is being made at the Holford Drive Community Sports Hub is a great example of the work that’s being done to achieve this aim.

“This is another example of how Birmingham 2022 and its partners are trying to ensure that the Commonwealth Games leaves lasting benefits for the people of the host city.”

Minister for Sport and Tourism, Nigel Huddleston, said: “This is a fantastic example of the important legacy Birmingham 2022 is creating for local people. This public funding will make a real difference to the Perry Barr community - giving people better sports facilities on their doorstep and encouraging them to get active.”

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