Coventry City Council have launched their "New Vision For Sport In Coventry".
The statement reads as follows:
"A new strategy to develop sporting opportunities for all, support talented local sports people and invest in sports facilities across Coventry has been unveiled today.
The new Coventry Sports Strategy, drawn up after months of consultation with sports groups, and key organisations in the city, will see the Council work with sports groups to improve sporting structures and opportunities for people to take part in sport.
The strategy – which has now been launched for public consultation – also proposes the building of a new leisure centre in the city centre that will include a 25 metre pool, a water park with slides, fitness suite, climbing wall, squash courts and spa. Once the new facility is open the current city centre sports centre, in Fairfax Street, will close.
Other key recommendations in the strategy include establishing a Coventry Institute of Sport to provide early specialist support services for talented local athletes. The strategy also includes proposals to support sports clubs, venues and schools to secure a total of £4m of investment into their community sports facilities and the launch of a Coventry Sports Network to deliver £10m of investment in sport. A strategic events and tourism partnership will also be set up to bid for fifteen major sporting events to take place in the city.
Cllr Ed Ruane, Cabinet Member for Housing and Heritage, said “At a time when other councils are cutting funding to sports, we’re absolutely determined to make sure we continue to invest in sporting facilities and opportunities across the city.
“We know that giving people the chance to lead fitter, healthier lives is really important. Successful sport in our city needs to start in the playground with active, healthy children and move through all levels and ages to include talented individuals and teams, who we can support to achieve success at the highest national and international levels.
“We’re also determined to invest in our sporting facilities. Coventry Sports Centre is no longer fit for purpose and we have had to already close off some parts of the building.”
“Our plans for a new city centre leisure centre will attract thousands of visitors from across the region and will give Coventry people a brilliant facility to enjoy, whether it’s just to have some fun or to do serious training and exercise.
“No other cities will have a facility like this in the heart of the city – it will be a brilliant boost for our city centre and a great asset for us. Coventry residents need and deserve the best sporting facilities we can provide.”
The strategy has been developed between a number of key sports partners in the city including Coventry Sports Foundation, which is responsible for managing a number of successful leisure facilities in Coventry including Centre AT7, the Xcel Leisure Centre and Alan Higgs Centre.
Foundation Chief Executive, Paul Breed said: “This strategy is a real commitment from sporting partners to invest in sport in the right places in Coventry.
“The strategy helps us make sure we’re delivering real value for money with limited resources and means that as a city, we’re in a much better position to get outside funding in to improve sporting opportunities.
“We know how much people appreciate high quality, well run sports facilities and this strategy means we can build on our successes to deliver great sporting facilities and opportunities to everyone in Coventry.”
Consultation on the strategy has now begun and runs for the next six weeks. People can take part in the consultation by visiting www.covsport.org.uk
David Moorcroft OBE, former 5,000m world record holder said: “This strategy is really important because it will help us to make sure that sport in our city starts in the playground with active, healthy children.
“Coventry is already a successful sports city but I want everyone to be able to live fitter and happier lives – and I believe sport has a key role to play in this.
“Of course what we need are facilities to match our ambition. The strategy recognises this and identifies how Coventry can make sure it has the pitches, courts and pools that encourage people to enjoy sport at whatever level suits them.”