Bentham Playing Fields Community Hub
Bentham Playing Field Association is proposing to replace the current unsafe and unusable clubhouse at Bentham Playing Fields with a modern, accessible and low-carbon Community Hub that will support sport, wellbeing and community activity in the town.
The existing building is now derelict and cannot be safely used, which means local teams are unable to host fixtures, tournaments or training on the site. As a result, sports such as football, netball, tennis and other recreational activities have been limited or moved elsewhere. In a rural community like Bentham, where transport links are limited, this reduces opportunities for many residents, particularly young people, women and girls and older residents, to take part in regular physical activity and community life.
The proposed hub will create a warm, flexible and accessible space for year-round use. As well as supporting local sports clubs with changing and welfare facilities, the building will also be suitable for youth activities, playgroups, community meetings, wellbeing sessions and small local events. The aim is to create a welcoming community base that encourages greater participation in sport and social activity.
The project will involve demolishing the existing clubhouse and constructing a new energy-efficient steel-framed building with an accessible entrance, flexible internal space, changing and welfare facilities and storage. The design will incorporate high insulation standards, efficient heating and provision for renewable energy, helping to keep long-term running costs low while reducing environmental impact.
The estimated total project cost is £154,500, covering design and planning, demolition, groundworks, building supply and installation, mechanical and electrical services, internal fittings and landscaping. Funding is expected to come from a combination of grant funding, community fundraising, local support and discounted or donated work from tradespeople. The construction programme is expected to take around 34 weeks (approximately eight months) from detailed design to completion.
Bentham Town Council has indicated that it wishes to allocate £50,000 towards the project from community funds that were ring-fenced following the sale of the former Bentham Community Youth Building. The Council is therefore launching a public consultation to gather residents’ views.
If you would like to support the proposal or share any comments, please email the Town Clerk at [email protected].