The Western Recreation Ground is set to benefit from a major improvement that aims to make the popular park more appealing to all ages.
Town councillors considered a draft specification at a meeting held earlier this year for a project to build an all-weather perimeter path at the recreation ground and agreed to allocate £137,511 to the scheme, which will come from Section 106 developer contributions for leisure facilities in Hailsham.
The project is part of an overall plan – working in partnership with Hailsham Active and Hailsham forward – to create a network of paths in and around Hailsham.
The path will cover the perimeter of the recreation ground and give access around and through the park all year, suitable for walking, cycling and running. A new all-weather exercise area will also be created.
The work is to be carried out section by section and individual access points will be closed off during the work on that specific section. The recreation ground itself will remain open for the duration of the works, although access will be restricted to the specific work area.
The work will start the week commencing Monday 22nd June and should be completed by the end of August.
“The Western Road Recreation Ground is a much-loved community site and provides local users with many opportunities to enjoy the vibrant open space for sport, leisure and other activities,” said Councillor Richard Grocock, chairman of the Town Council’s Assets Management Committee.
“Local residents and sports groups have stressed the need to improve accessibility at the Western Road Recreation Ground. We’ve listened and I’m delighted to see the perimeter path construction project has been agreed and will go ahead soon.”
Deputy Town Clerk Mickey Caira said: “We hold great pride in our flagship open space and work hard work to ensure that the high standards expected from users of the facility are met. We endeavour to undertake necessary maintenance, repairs, restoration and improvement of the recreation ground and make it as accessible as possible for members of the local community.”
Steve Wennington, chairman of Hailsham Active commented: “We are very grateful to town councillors for supporting the proposal to construct the much-needed perimeter path, which we sincerely hope will be the start of more walking and cycling access across Hailsham, linking different parts of the town and providing 365 days accessibility to the recreation ground for all.”
“It is hoped to further develop these sports in the town and drive up participation in healthy activity and active travel.”
“We have a further challenge of funding for lighting around the path in the winter and we are hopeful of more support for this.”
Mr Wennington added: “I’d like to thank long-term Hailsham resident Ralph Olsen, who has spent a lot of time on the design and specification of the path – all without cost.”
