Colchester Community Stadium
14th November 2006

The two minute speech below was read by Darren Barrenger at the Full Council Meeting on Monday 13th November 2006

Colchester United Community Sports Trust has been one of the key partners of the Community Stadium Project for several years. Our objective and vision has been simple; To ensure that the wider community is offered services and facilities that will enhance and improve their quality of life.

Our independence from the football club, means we have been free to develop programmes using a wide range of sports as well as arts and cultural activities.

As a charitable organisation and a long standing partner of the Borough Council, in delivering positive social change and regeneration projects we are uniquely placed to drive this aspect of the project and realise the vision.

Our Community & Sports Centre in Shrub End which we have leased for 10 years from the Borough Council provides an example of the work that we do, from traditional football courses, to Tai Chi, Yoga, Parent & Toddler groups, street dance, health clubs and a proposed Children’s Centre. This is work that we intend to reproduce, enhance and expand in the new Stadium, for the benefit of even more people in Colchester.

We see the community aspects of the stadium developing in two phases.

Phase One we see the provision of facilities of a much higher standard than currently at Layer Road, and services of equal quality and of similar diversity as at the Centre in Shrub End. The floodlit five a side facilities will be in addition to those run by the Trust at Shrub End and in addition to activities we run at Highwoods, Tiptree and in Tendring. This project is all about expansion for the Trust, not substitution.

Phase Two would allow additional floodlit five a side facilities as well as Health Promotion, Education, training and employment opportunities, involving partnership working with libraries, community services and local community and voluntary groups.

There are a number of spaces within the detailed plans which the Trust want to see as community spaces and we will be seeking to work with a number of local and regional partners to ensure these spaces provide maximum community benefit.

The Colchester Community Stadium will act as a catalyst for the creation, development and ongoing delivery of a wide range of community activities and services that will benefit both the people of Colchester and the wider community. The Community Sports Trust will continue to act as the community champion within the new stadium. We have the experience, commitment and passion to ensure that the community itself will become the beating heart of the new Colchester Community Stadium.