Working with community to make Cantley Park financially sustainable

Cantley Park user groups got together last night (Wednesday 30 April) to kick-off discussions on how its financial future can be secured.

The park is widely used by sporting and other organisations, as well as by local people for walking, running and other activities. 

User groups pay to hire the facilities at the park, but this does not cover the running and maintenance costs and the park is costing local taxpayers about £220,000 per year.

With the council’s finances increasingly stretched, it is looking to make the park sustainable – with its income covering its running costs – and has started to work with those who regularly use the park to seek a solution.

Executive member for Economic Development, Sports, Leisure and the Arts Cllr Mark Ashwell said: “Like so many local people, I love Cantley Park – it is one of the jewels in the borough’s crown and provides a fantastic green space for sport, leisure and relaxation. We need it to not just survive, but to continue to thrive. 

“But the fact is that it costs a lot of money to run, maintain and improve, so we have to work with those who use it to reduce the burden on taxpayers by making the park self-sustaining.”

Last night’s initial meeting set out the current position at the park and invited user groups to start thinking about changes that could be made.

Cllr Ashwell added: “It was great to start these discussions. Too often in the past, the borough council has come up with a solution on its own, but we are determined to change that and properly include residents and organisations in discussion and decisions.

“Collaborating in this way is part of our commitment to the Communities Vision 2035, which was produced by partners across the borough to set out where we want to be in the years ahead.

“We don’t know what the outcome of this will be and cannot guarantee everybody will get what they want – but we will listen to ideas and try to seek a consensus among those most affected.”

Further meetings on the future for Cantley Park will be planned in the coming months.