Petworth plans for the next generation of sport
For over 150 years, the pavilion and sports grounds in Petworth Park have served generations of football and cricket teams. However, as the town expands, Petworth Town Council is keen to improve the facilities for the next generation.
The sports clubs, National Trust and Leconfield Estate have been thinking for some time about how that would work in Grade 1 listed parkland. They have consulted experts and drawn up ideas and concepts for improvements. Now they want to hear from the community.
Alex Rees, Chairman of Petworth Cricket Club, said the hope is to rejuvenate the three ‘p’s’, the pitch, pavilion and parking, to accommodate the increase in the town’s population and subsequent growth in the popularity of the sports clubs.
He said, “This is the most constricted landscape to try and plan something. However, we need to bring the facilities up to date in a sensitive way”.
Petworth Town Council is hosting two consultation events, the first on Wednesday 25th February, 3-8pm at Leaconfield Hall, the second on Saturday 28th February, 11am-4pm at the Petworth Park Sports Pavilion.
The Council and clubs want to know what facilities would benefit the next generation of sportsmen and women. This includes getting views on the long-term future of the Sports Grounds as well as ideas to improve the facilities. They are also thinking about the possibility of developing a new site and which other sports or activities could be offered.
Mr Rees said: “We want to hear from those who are going to use it and those whose children and grandchildren will use it”. This is a long-term plan for the community, and the consultations give everyone a chance to shape the future of sport in the town.