Making a difference

(Date of issue: Friday, 10 July 2009)

A project to build a new £90,000 sports area aimed at cutting youth crime is set to open at Heysham Park, Raffles, Carlisle next week. The new sports area will be officially opened on Tuesday 14 July at 12.30pm by Carlisle City Council Leader Cllr Mike Mitchelson, afterwards there will be a tennis coaching session for pupils from St Bede’s Junior School, which the media are also welcome to attend.

The initiative has been funded through Carlisle City Council, Carlisle & Eden Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP) and United Utilities through its United Futures regeneration scheme, which is run in partnership with environmental charity Groundwork and is supporting communities as part of the multi-million pound sewer expansion scheme currently ongoing in Carlisle.

The facility is set to open, after construction on the all-weather games area was completed in only eight weeks. Once open, it is hoped the organised activities delivered by the City Council’s Sports and Recreation Team will give youngsters in Raffles something positive to take part in and encourage them to stay fit and healthy. As well as being marked out for football and basketball, the new Sports Cage will be used to deliver other sports such as tennis and volleyball.

Sporting activities will not be the only things to take place at the Sports Cage and youngsters will get the chance to have their say on issues in the area, which will be passed on to councillors, police and other decision-makers.

This type of joint initiative demonstrates the commitment of partners to working together to improve the quality of life for our communities through reducing crime and anti-social behaviour. The opportunity to listen to people’s concerns and feed them back to partners and make some immediate positive impacts in those communities, is of great importance and thereby improves that "feel safe" factor for local people.

Carlisle City Council in partnership has already installed three other MUGA’s at Dale End Road, Harraby, Melbourne Road, Botcherby, and at Hammonds Pond, Upperby, all of which are used regularly by about 200 youngsters and have helped reduce crime in those areas.

Quotes:

Carlisle City Council Leader Cllr Mike Mitchelson said:

 ‘’this joint partnership approach is an opportunity to improve facilities and to address local people’s concerns. This is another example of positive action taken with our partners to make the residents of Carlisle feel safe and secure. Providing facilities for our young people helps to prevent the boredom factor and the occurrence of anti-social behaviour. The fact that the build has only taken eight weeks is a testament to the hard work and dedication of all of the partners involved and demonstrates a clear commitment to addressing local concerns, thereby helping to make Carlisle among one of the safest places to live in the country.’’

Jane Muller Chair of Carlisle & Eden CDRP welcomed the initiative saying:

 “partners are committed to working with other agencies to make a difference by addressing the issues that matter to our communities. By installing facilities like this we provide real reassurance to local people of agency activities and available services that are aimed at tackling problems in their area and further embeds the message of respect.”

Caroline Brumwell a project engineer for United Utilities said:

"We are delighted we could help to fund this great new space. Our engineers are a regular fixture in Carlisle, and we have come to know these local neighbourhoods well. The new facility will offer an inspiring place to play for young people in the area."