Creative Solutions Needed for Football Pitches (Exeter Liberal Democrats)

Exeter Liberal Democrats <info@exeterlibdems.org.uk>

Creative Solutions Needed for Football Pitches

January 31, 2011 2:28 PM

Exeter City Council's proposal to close many football pitches is short-sighted, regressive and lacks imagination. It will deny hundreds of active active young people the opportunity to stay fit and build confidence and team-working skills. Sport provides a valuable social place where young men can expend their energy in a creative, positive and exciting way.

Liberal Democrat Leader and active footballer Adrian Fullam said: "Fees for Council pitches are not cheap. However many sports grounds in Devon are not maintained by their Council but by the clubs themselves. Exeter City Council should approach Exeter clubs and offer them the opportunity to maintain the pitches proposed for closure at their own expense, helping by hiring out specialist equipment at cost price. Clubs can also adopt changing rooms and clean them out themselves. Savings can still be made by passing control to the clubs, thereby keeping the facilities available"

"Many young people have been hit hard in this recession, they have time and energy but not money. Giving them the chance to help out with the running of the facilities and reducing their match fees will help them to harnass that energy for the benefit of themselves and their team."

"Labour's approach is for the Council to provide or else the service is withdrawn. Lib Dems believe we should have faith in people's ability to manage their own lives and give them some light support to enable that."