Agenda item

Hamilton Panthers

Meeting of Micklegate Ward Committee, Thursday, 10 February 2011 7.00 pm (Item 4.)

Phil Sanderson and Simon Ramsley from the club and Gary Limbert, Football Facilities Project Officer will inform you of the proposals for the teams facilities on Little Knavesmire.

Minutes:

Gary Limbert – Football Facilities Project Officer, Phil Sanderson – Club Secretary and Simon Lansley – Club Representative gave an update on the Hamilton Panthers activity and the proposal for the facility development.

4.1 Club was formed in 1988 based on Little Knavesmire.

4.2 The club is entirely run by volunteers. The age groups start from 6 years old to adult providing continuity from junior to senior game.

4.3 There are 185 registered players at the moment with 3500 players who went through the club since formation.

4.4 Brief history of the club:

1995 - moved into mothballed changing rooms in former ROC building at invitation of Council

1998 - current lease signed in presence of HRH The Duke Of York

2000 - two changing rooms added and former public toilet block incorporated

2002 - first FA Charter Standard Junior Club in York

2004 - upgraded to Development Club

2006/07 - North Riding County Football Association selected Panthers as Development Club of the Year

2008 – upgraded to Adult Club.

4.5 The clubhouse is a former Royal Observatory Corps building; it’s a not listed historic building in severe state of disrepair. Clubhouse and pitches need urgent attention.

4.6 The current clubhouse state has adverse affect on recruitment and retention of players and members. Young players do not want to use the building.

To maintain status as Junior and Senior Club, the facilities must be developed.

4.7 Action plan so far:

Oct 2010 - Hamilton Panthers committee set up club development working group to provide focus and impetus, and ensure all stakeholders are consulted;

Nov/Dec - two feasibility reports completed to look at pitch drainage, and the clubhouse;

Dec - working group meets with Micklegate Ward councillors to inform them of the proposal. Positive initial reaction;

Jan 2011 - clubhouse report (MWS Associates, architectural designers and building surveyors) concludes it would be far more cost-effective to replace the building than to restore it

Jan - Football Foundation provisionally commit substantial funding towards the project, on condition that other match funding can be secured.

Feb – PRA Architects, of York, produce initial proposals for what the clubhouse might look like.

4.8 The initial redevelopment proposals:

· Similar scale - footprint and height;

Four changing rooms; two referee rooms; function, plant and storage rooms. Access to pitches;

Community facilities: café, toilets. External café servery;

Foyer, reception. Panthers and other clubs to present themselves, notices etc;

Secure areas eg. fencing, parking;

Glass-fronted café to look across greenery;

Cycles, soft-landscaping;

Sustainable construction;

Suitable building for ‘green-belt’ land;

No harm to openness.

4.9 What happen next?

· Feb 2011 - begin consulting local community and residents

April - walk-in exhibition. Venue/date tbc;

May - wider consultation to incorporate local media, businesses and potential funding partners;

June - completion of business plan, including funding targets;

Summer - preliminary drawings and building designs submitted to Council planning department;

Autumn – commence fundraising and planning;

Winter 2012/13 – construction phase;

May 2013 - Hamilton Panthers Annual Gala grand opening.

Residents were given opportunity to raise questions.

Q Will you provide changing rooms for girls also?

A Yes, there will be changing rooms for girls. Under 11 year olds boys and girls can play together.

Q Have you considered installing solar panels on the roof?

A We are at early stage of planning at this moment, but we will be looking at the sustainability of the clubhouse. One of the ideas is the recycling of rainwater.

Q What don’t you include ‘Big Kanvesmire’ in the development, it would attract more clubs?

A I cannot speak on behalf of the Council regarding ‘Big Knavesmire’, we are planning to redevelop ‘Little Knavesmire’ site only.