The future of sports facilities in Bristol’s parks is up for discussion as the council launches a consultation to cut spending on sports pitches.
Bristol City Council has said it wants to make the sporting provision in its parks budget "cost neutral".
And as a result is looking at new ways of covering the maintenance costs of cricket, bowls and football amenities across the city.
Around 20 council-funded grounds could be affected.
There are three options under consideration which includes increasing the cost of pitch hire for local sports clubs.
According to the council in order to be “cost neutral” users of football facilities would have to pay four times the current amount - which is roughly £2 per person.
Bowls and cricket clubs would see their costs rise three-and-a-half and seven times, respectively.
Another option would see the control of the pitches passed from the council to interested third parties who would then operate and maintain the facilities themselves.
The third option asks if members of the public have their own proposals to offer sports in parks at no cost to the council.
Bristol mayor Marvin Rees said: “We have ensured that the provision of sport in Bristol’s parks is sustainable but the current situation of it being heavily subsidised by the council while a reduction to parks budget is required is no longer a tenable position.
“This is not only an issue facing Bristol, but councils nationwide and I would encourage everyone to contribute to the consultation with their feedback or innovative solutions to help shape the future of our parks sporting facilities and ensure Bristol’s sporting scene is active and resilient.’’
Any increased fees would be used to cover the costs of day to day maintenance and building maintenance, while a lump sum of capital investment would be available to help secure funding from other agencies to try and significantly improve some of the facilities.
The consultation is available on the council’s website and runs until Tuesday, July 9.
The sites that would be affected are:
- Ardagh Bowling Green
- Arnall Drive Playing Fields (football pitches only)
- Ashton Vale Playing Fields (football pitches only)
- Avonvale / Netham Bowls Facility
- Begbrook Green Park Bowls Facility
- Begbrook Green Park Football
- Canford Park Bowls Facility
- Canford Park Football
- Dorian Road (football pitches only)
- Dundridge Farm Playing Fields (football)
- Eastville Park Bowls Facility
- Eastville Park Football
- Greville Smyth Park Football
- Kings Head Lane Park Football
- Netham Park
- Oldbury Court Estate
- Redcatch Park Football
- St George Park Bowls Facility
- Wellington Hill (football pitch only)
