29 August 2006

Residents of the Talbot and Brunswick areas of Blackpool have been the beneficiaries of the Uks first sports barn. This modern concept combines the best features of indoor and out door play, all in an area that is safe and secure for young players. The Barn is all weather playable as it has a permanent solid roof, yet has all the benefits of playing out doors as Zaun fencing replaces the walls and so allows the players the benefit of fresh air.

Funding for the Sports Barn and park has come from the European Regional Development Fund, New Opportunities Fund and Sport England. “Blackpool Council is absolutely delighted and very grateful to Sport England and the Big Lottery Fund for their grant of £315,000 to build The Barn and for a further £30,000 to set up a sports development programme” said Cllr David Owen, Portfolio Holder for Leisure. The Barn will be used for football, basketball and a wide range of other activities including cricket, netball, athletics and tennis. Local residents will be able to use it on a casual basis and it will also provide facilities for local clubs, community groups and schools. The Barn will also play host to a wide range of organised coaching sessions for children and young people.
Many urban sports facilities have clashed with local residents as a result of the ‘rattle’ associated with other sports fencing systems. Zaun Sports fencing was chosen it has special inserts that insulate the panels from the posts. This means that it is significantly quieter during play than either other fencing systems or traditional wooden kick boards. “As with many developments of this kind, the facility is in the heart of an urban area to maximise its usage” says Alastair. “However this means that during the planning stages, designers must be sensitive to the needs of the wider community, as well as those that the facility is designed for”.