Project Overview

SUCCESS HAS GIVEN US A HEADACHE !

As a result of unprecedented success in developing physical activity and sport within our community, we need to expand the capacity at the John Clements Sports and Community Centre – particularly indoors, a need highlighted by local community research.

The current sports field and facilities came about as a result of the tragic death in 1976 of John Clements, a local teacher who, sacrificing his own life, heroically rescued 35 children by leading them from a burning hotel. He was subsequently awarded the George Cross and a memorial trust fund was quickly established in his honour which led to the current sports field and a changing facility being opened in 1984, the Sports and Social Centre being opened in 1992 and an extension to changing facilities being added in 2000.

There are currently three main outdoor sports areas and activities:

• 2 football pitches used by 2 senior teams in Herts Premier League, I under 18, 1 under 15 ,1 under 9 teams and 2 Stevenage Ladies teams – 141 players in all;
• 3 tennis courts used by c. 20 teams with over 150 players;
• a cricket wicket used by up to 4 cricket teams and over 85 players

Indoor activities include table tennis (44 players) and carpet bowls ( both in local leagues ), darts, dancing and bingo.

Membership across all clubs has grown since the start by 450% helped by the local primary school’s support for sports. The clubs run the facility on a voluntary basis on behalf of Codicote Parish Council who with the villagers have invested £0.3m since 1980 in the project. Turnover has steadily increased with the surplus ploughed back into the sports or into the new building development fund. What is particularly encouraging is the spread of users across the age groups with 35% under the age of 18, 37% between the ages of 18 and 45 and 28% over the age of 45. The male / female split is 67% / 33%.

In addition, around 17,500 visits are made by general club members and members of the community each year for parties and celebrations (including the annual Village Day in July) and it is estimated that including players and visitors, there are over 38,000 total visits made to the Centre each year.

In 2005 it was decided to investigate the replacement of the ageing portakabin-based Sports and Social Centre with a facility that would better serve the residents of Codicote and the immediate catchment area of surrounding rural villages ( 11,000 residents within 5 minutes , 25,000 within 10 minutes drive) . Sport England have recognised a shortage of at least 12 such sports halls between now and 2016 in the areas of Hertfordshire, with a population of 0.5m people, within 20 minutes drive of Codicote

This would once again be an investment in present and future generations and be in line with the current Herts County and North Herts District Council sustainable community strategies- underpinning the future of our playing fields as a sporting environment, extending the lives of all by reducing obesity through participation in sport and by strengthening community spirit.

A full market survey of the village in 2005 established the case for a range of indoor sports which require a multi use sports hall with supporting community facilities. Full planning permission was granted on

30 April 2009 and £1.7m of funds are now being sought to proceed with the building which will provide increased sport for more people in the area and be a fitting tribute to the memory of John Clements.