Agenda item

Eddy Curry, Head of Parks and Open Spaces, presented a report which sought the approval for partnership arrangements between the University of Nottingham, Beeston Hockey Club and the Highfields Park Leisure Trust, to provide an international standard water-based hockey pitch on the Highfields site including creating a 99 year lease.

It is noted that the Beeston Hockey Club is very successfully internationally and this development will result in the Highfields Park becoming the best facility in the country and better able to host national and international hockey events.

The partnership arrangements apply purely for the provision of the pitch as the Beeston Hockey Club and the University will be responsible for its maintenance.

Completion of this project will fulfil the Highfields Trust objectives with 70% of pitch time available for Beeston Hockey Club to develop and provide a wide range of community outreach/coaching programs with schools and community groups.

In the remote possibility that the Hockey Club goes into administration, the land will revert to the Highfields Trust. There are no long-term risks in the management of the facility.

The questions of the committee were responded to as follows:

(a)  Beeston Hockey Club will be responsible for administration of the site, including community bookings;

(b)  the University of Nottingham is contributing £1 million to the cost of this project;

(c)  the current annual rents for the sports site is currently between and £12 - 15,000 but is under review as the moment. If agreed, the single pitch site will command a rent of £2-5,000 per year but this is yet to be confirmed;

(d)  Beeston Hockey Club is very inclusive and as part of its user agreement,  it must engage City residents;

(e)  this is one of the most productive spaces for users in the City and also includes football, lacrosse and baseball pitches. In addition, there are four football pitches which are currently being used by Notts County football club, but it is due to relocate soon and these pitches will revert to community use;

(f)  the Lawn Tennis Association will be approached to part fund transforming a football pitch into tennis grass courts;

(g)  the Wilford Bowman generally use the walled garden at Wollaton Hall and only use Highfields Park for specific events. However the European Archery Championship heats in 2016 are to be held at Highfields with promotional events in Market Square.

RESOLVED

(1)  to approve the partnership with the University of Nottingham (UoN) and the creation of the New Water Based Hockey Pitch as detailed in the report;

(2)  to approve the principal of the creation of a 99 year lease to the UoN, subject to the acquisition of any necessary planning consent or consent of other regulatory bodies;

(3)  to approve and delegate authority to the Director of Sport, Culture and Parks, to continue the preparation of the detailed community use agreements;

(4)  to approve delegate authority to the Director of Sport, Culture and Parks, in conjunction with the Director of Strategic Asset and Property Management, to agree the format and terms of the lease.