Ground breaking centre cops a unique approach

A skatepark, creche, ICT suite – and even a police station –  all share the unique multi-sport Severn Centre, which became the first Active England project to become fully operational when it was opened at Highley in the West Midlands in September 2004.

It is set in an isolated rural location and Sport England’s objective was to  provide a multi-activity, community sports facility in an area where public transport and sports provision were limited.

Over £1.3m of Lottery funding was invested by Sport England towards total project costs of £3.4m which brought about an innovative combination of facilities designed to boost participation in sport and physical activity across the local community.

The centre also boasts a  two-court sports hall, fitness suite, football pitch, cricket nets, meeting rooms, outdoor youth areas including the skatepark, library, club rooms and other social facilities – in fact something for everyone.

Severn Centre factfile

• Since the Severn Centre opened, over 30,000 people have used it - helping Sport England towards its targets of increasing participation by 1% a year up to 2020
• The under 18’s now get over 25 hours of coaching every week
• 16 new jobs have been created at the centre
• More than 4,000 boys and girls under 18 have used the facilities
• An indoor bowls club has been established since the centre opened
• Football, tennis, cricket and bowls clubs from Highly regularly use the centre for training and matches
• Community pantomimes and fundraising events are among the 33 functions which have been held there
• Physical activity co-ordinator has recently been appointed

"The multi-sport hub concept has proven to be one of the most effective means to bring sport and physical activity directly into communities. This new approach focuses on the development of community hubs that combine multiple sports and activities and also have the potential to bring health, social welfare and educational services together under one roof. Sport England has committed to developing a network of multi-sport hubs across the country to boost the number of people actively engaged in sport."

To find out more about the Everyday Sport campaign, for activities taking place in your area and simple tips on how to get active, log onto www.everydaysport.com or call the Everyday Sport hotline: 0800 587 6000 .