Major Sports Facility Development Planned for Southfield Park

W4 Youth Group preferred bidder for community hub

The current facilities at Southfield Park

The W4 youth group has been announced as the preferred bidder for a £3million scheme which would see a sports and community hub built in Southfield Recreation Ground.

The new facility would be built on the site of the existing changing rooms at the western end of the park and could include a club house, youth club and cafe.

The W4 Youth Group for 11-19 year olds was founded by Chiswick resident Sally Chacatte following the shooting of her teenage son some years ago, as a way to give young people a place to keep busy with hobbies and away from crime. Set up in 2009, it now has over 300 young people involved in its activities.

Ealing Council’s cabinet last week agreed the granting of a 99-year lease to W4 Youth to develop the space.

However Lib Dem councillor Gary Malcolm has sounded a note of caution and said the council had not given enough time for the matter to be discussed.

"The Liberal Democrat run Southfield Ward Forum have helped fund W4 Youth on two occasions as they provide a great service to many teenagers in Acton and Chiswick. However it is a shame the Council jumped the gun in not engaging with Councillors, residents and a local residents' association before the Council made its decision to proceed with a sports hub.

"Residents of Wilkinson Way may experience additional noise and concerns have been raised about ensuring that people can still have access to the football grounds and tennis courts which are very popular. Liberal Democrats say that for projects like this it is crucial that the Council get everyone round the table to listen to any concerns at the start of the process."

The W4 Youth group must now launch a funding campaign to transform the current space around the dilapidated pavilion into a community and sports hub for use by local people. It also involves the refurbishment of changing facilities and toilets and a new cafe is also in the pipeline.

Ant and Dec opened their new premises in 2013

Sally Chacatte said, “We are delighted to be the preferred partner selected by Ealing Council to build a new Youth and Community Sports Hub in Southfields Recreation Grounds. Our aim is to give the local community a centre where sports and social activity brings everyone across the community closer together.

Councillor Bassam Mahfouz, cabinet member for finance and leisure said, “Growing up in the borough, the most common complaint I would hear is that there wasn’t enough for young people to do. With exciting high-quality sports and leisure spaces like the one proposed at Southfields having popped up across the borough, we’re showing that we are absolutely committed to transforming the borough and having fantastic facilities improving the quality of life for residents.

July 14, 2018