RESIDENTS and community groups turned out in force for a series of workshops and drop-in sessions as part of a major consultation on Warrington’s exciting Orford Park Project.
The events were designed to enable people to have some input into a planning application for the project, which is expected to be made early next month.
Meetings were held at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, St Margaret’s school hall, Orford and St Ann’s School hall.
The latest site plans and building layouts were on show and members of the design team were on hand to answer questions.
Duncan Richardson, Orford Park project manager, said: “It was marvellous to have such a great turn out for each of the events and everyone who came along found it both informative and stimulating.
“We gained a lot of useful information from the participants which will be used to guide the final design and layout of the buildings and park. It will also be used to support the planning submission which we will be submitting in June.
“This exciting project aims to use sport, leisure, health, education and lifelong learning to increase the health, well-being and empowerment of the local community.”
Described as a “sports village”, the Orford Project will include a library and ICT facilities, community activity and meeting rooms, a café, swimming pools, health and fitness facilities, dance studios, squash courts, a sports hall and creche facilities.
NHS Warrington is proposing to provide accommodation for three GP practices and a lifestyles team alongside a pharmacy.
Outside there will be walking and cycling paths around the new grass pitches which will link to the existing park where the play area will be upgraded and extended to provide opportunities for children from infancy to teenagers. There will also be facilities for skateboarding and BMX cycling.
The bowling green will be floodlit and a new pavilion will be provided. There will be pedestrian access points all around the site and footways will be lit and have CCTV coverage. The main vehicle access will be from Winwick Road and there will be a bus stop outside the building.
The facility will open around November 2011.
Picture shows residents studying the site plans.
Residents learn about sports village
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About Author
Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
