The Pavilion Project - Winchester community space that matters

"COMMUNITY matters"

Introduction

The Existing Pavilion

The Pavilion Project is a community group and registered charity working with local architects, AR Design Studio, to replace the dilapidated cricket pavilion and scoring huts at North Walls Recreation Ground in Winchester.

The Future Pavilion

The new pavilion will be used by a variety of sports clubs, community groups and local schools, too. It will also promote cricket by encouraging players, both male and female, of all abilities and ages. The building will be sustainable, accessible and available for all-year-round use.

Planning consent for the proposed pavilion was granted in January 2018. We hope that the build will commence in 2020.

"The Winchester Town Forum welcome the prospect of working in partnership on this and wish the team every success with their fundraising."

-COUNCILLOR ANNE WEIR, CHAIR OF WINCHESTER CITY COUNCIL’S TOWN FORUM

the Communities we're helping

Cricket

Cricket at all levels of the game, and by all ages, is played at North Walls Recreation Ground; many teams from across the district regard it as their “home” ground.

The Hampshire Cricket Board hosts disability and All Stars (junior) cricket at North Walls and also the women’s Softball Cricket Festival, although the very poor existing location facilities threaten the continuation of these activities at this location.

Batsman playing for local community cricket team, 'The Racqueteers'

“I remember playing cricket many times at North Walls, and even then the pavilion was in a very sorry state. The proposed plans for a replacement are absolutely fantastic; such a unique design for a cricket pavilion – it will be quite something. I’m sure this new building will encourage more cricket to be played at this wonderful location, providing a new lease of life for local cricket at all levels. Good luck with the fundraising!”

- Jimmy Adams, Hampshire CC opening batsman

Rugby player from the Winchester Rugby FC team

Winchester Rugby club

Winchester Rugby Club use the pavilion during the winter months; both for the popular minis and juniors training sessions and tournaments and by the adult teams playing on the nearby Devil’s Island pitch.

"It is a truly local project for local people and will become an asset for everyone, but we must secure enough additional funding to make the project happen. If the existing buildings are not replaced, use of the two pitches for sport will inevitably decline."

- Steve Barrow, Winchester Rugby FC

Wider COMMUNITY use

The communal hub in the new pavilion will be made available to the community all year round. During public consultations a range of uses have been suggested; from kids’ parties to drama classes - as a “pop up” coffee-stop, too! The communal hub will also be ideal as a meeting space, with parking nearby at River Park Leisure Centre. Bespoke Biking CIC is keen to use the new pavilion, as are an array of local sports and fitness groups. St Bede’s primary school, a short walk away from the pavilion, relies on the recreation ground for its outdoor sporting activities and would like decent, segregated, changing facilities.