Foxwood Park looking good in summer sun

Fox wood park May 2015

The improvements undertaken by volunteers last year to the Foxwood Park area are now more apparent as the area is bathed in the summer sun.

Members of the residents association have worked hard to clear undergrowth and install new seats. Local children made plaques for the railings

Its disappointing that the new (somewhat confused) York Council web site doesn’t even list the park as an open space

Residents from across the City will be able to see the progress made when the Foxwood Park Country Fair takes place next Saturday

Summer Fair on Saturday

Summer Fair on Saturday

 

York Community Stadium – archaeology dig

Archaeologists have found remains of significance during the York Theatre Royal refurbishment. It means that  the reopening of the Theatre will be delayed.

The annual pantomime (DickWhittington and his Meerkat!) is being moved to the Railway Museum (click)

Another major dig is taking place at the site of the planned new Community Stadium.

Outline of roman camp revealed

Outline of roman camp revealed

There is likely to be some concern about what impact this work will have on the practical start date for the construction of the stadium.

The project is already 2 years behind schedule.

At Huntington, archaeologists know broadly what they are likely to find. A roman “training” camp was revealed a few years ago – by chance – during a routine aerial survey of the area. Its existence had been unknown when the original stadium was built. While some artifacts may be unearthed it seems unlikely that the dig will overrun its 4 week timetable.

Updates on the work can be found by clicking here

The decision notice on the planning application is not due to issued until July and confirmation of contractors will not be possible until then in any event.

The open day for potential sub contractors will take place on 1st June (see below).

Meet the buyer event

Meet the buyer event

We expect an early statement from the new York Council about the Knights Rugby Team and their re-engagement with the project.

How quickly it becomes clear, whether the promised July 2016 stadium completion date will be met, remains to be seen.

Projects of this scale would normally take at least 18 months to construct, fit out and pass through various accreditation processes.

Walk to jog – even further

Following in the sprightly footsteps of the Walk 2 Jog programme, City of York Council’s Sport and Active Leisure team is introducing a new course to help more people jog even further.

Walk Jog

Developed following the successful Walk 2 Jog programme which helped beginner joggers to complete a five kilometre (5k) run, this course steps up the distance from 5k to 10k.

The programme is timed to help people to run a full distance at the Jane Tomlinson’s Run For All ASDA Foundation York 10K on Sunday 2 August.

A group of up to 20 participants, led by fully-qualified run leaders, will gradually increase jogging distances each week and will receive suggestions for additional exercise to complete between sessions to help achieve the 10k goal.

This longer distance course offers ideal progression for anyone wanting to increase their jogging distance and is another way in which the council is encouraging more people to undertake moderate intensity physical activity for 150 minutes a week.

Sessions start Wednesday 27 May at 6.30pm from Rowntree Park and will continue weekly for 10 weeks. The course costs £15. Everyone is welcome, but participants should already be able to jog 5k.

For further information and to book your place please contact Dean Sharp on 01904 553377 or e-mail dean.sharp@york.gov.uk

CityCross comes to York!

In the tyre tracks of the inaugural Tour de Yorkshire City of York Council’s Rowntree Park will play host to the exhilarating Morvelo CityCross on 13 June.

cyclo cross 2

York will host the fourth CityCross which brings together the best elements from cycling and mountain biking with added man made obstacles, including steps, ramps, berms and bridges.

In CityCross everyone is a winner. There will be races for Under 12’s, Youths, Juniors, Women Only, Novices, Seniors and Veterans. CityCross is a bike race and a party all rolled into one and as much fun to watch as to race.  Spectating is free, and positively encouraged.

With trade stands, artists exhibiting and artisan food stalls and a purpose built challenging course in the grounds of Rowntrees Park the event has all the hall marks of a big cycling fun packed party for all the family.

David Short, i-Travel York programme manager said, “I am delighted that Morvelo have approached us with a view to staging the event in York which we are pleased to support. All the evidence shows that if you get people into cycling in a fun environment then they are more likely to take it up as their preferred choice of travel. Cycling keeps you fit, is better for the environment, reduces traffic congestion and is cheap!”

Emma Osenton, the organiser from Mills Events says, “CityCross is very popular. We have run these events in Halifax, Leeds and other UK cities and we are delighted to be able to bring CityCross to York, an iconic cycling city.
For more information on CityCross York visit http://www.citycross.co.uk/

York Community Stadium not “called in”

It looks like a final decision on the York Community Stadium planning applications will be issued in early July. 

Community Stadium Nov 2014

It has been announced today that the new Secretary of State will not call in the planning application for the York Community Stadium and Leisure Complex Scheme.

The decision made by the Planning Committee on Friday 27 March 2015 with 16 votes in favour and one abstention, can now be confirmed. The decision to grant planning consent was subject to the Secretary of State’s approval.

This normally takes up to four weeks but, in this case, the Secretary of State wrote to the council stating that an extension was required.

Once the decision notice is issued, a Judicial Review period begins that lasts for six weeks.

After this period has passed, the stadium project can progress contracts and other commercial matters to be finalised prior to the commencement of construction.

The development encompasses a new 8,000 seat stadium, leisure and community complex in Huntington.

The site has today been handed over to York Archaeological Trust to begin a community excavation, involving local schools and residents.

York Council seeking local suppliers for Community Stadium build work….Still no news on planning application.

Are you interested in supplying services for the York Community Stadium build?

With the planning decision notice still awaiting the attention of the new Local Government Minister, the York Council has decided to look for local sub contractors for some of the stadium build work

Community Stadium Nov 2014

Local construction businesses who are interested in supplying products and services required for the building of the York Community Stadium and Leisure Complex scheme are being invited to attend a ‘Meet the Buyer’ event.

City of York Council, in partnership with ISG, are hosting the event on Monday 1 June at the council’s West Offices between 10am -3pm.

ISG are the preferred construction partner for the stadium development as part of the successful consortium bid led by Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL).

Attendees will benefit from hearing more about ISG’s supply chain standards, the packages still to be let and funding available for training and apprenticeship recruitment.

Packages include:
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Community Stadium planning delay hits swimming pool management

With the official planning decision notice still predictably delayed, the Community Stadium development contract cannot yet be signed.

This means that potential contractor GLL cannot take over the running of leisure facilities like Energise in Acomb.

 GLL were the managers of the Huntington Stadium and the adjacent Waterworld facility, but both closed about 6 months ago.

We understand that staff at the successful Energise leisure centre have been told that a proposed 1st June handover date has now been shelved.

Uncertain future for popular Energise leisure centre

Uncertain future for popular Energise leisure centre

There never seemed any real possibility that the Secretary of State would decide whether or not to call in the Community Stadium plans before the General Election.

 June seemed the earliest likely decision date but even that could be optimistic if the election result is not – as appears likely to be the case – clear cut.

The July 2016 opening date for the stadium continues to look very optimistic.

The project is running over 2 years behind schedule mainly as a result of a decision by some Labour Councillors to privatise all the City’s leisure facilities into one contract.

This led to the closure of Waterworld and a threat to future of the Yearsley Pool.

It also added £8 million to the taxpayers bill for the project.

Controversy as Council plan late night drinking in footstreets area

York’s newly enhanced Exhibition Square could stage late night outdoor entertainment events.

A licensing application from the York Council itself will be considered on Tuesday 7th April. 

The application, if successful, would allow alcohol consumption thoughout the whole of the footstreets area until 11:00pm at night. The current license prohibits outdoor alcohol sales after 2100 hours.

 The new license would also allow “Films, Live Music, Recorded Music and Performance of Dance” until 11:00pm

There have been several objections to the plan.

The present Council simply doesn’t seem to understand that their promotion of York as a “Party City” is partly responsible for the hen/stag night disorder that is fast driving many people away from the City Centre.

If a special event needs an exemption from the reasonable restrictions that currently are in force, then the organisers should apply on an individual basis.

York residents will then be able to say whether they believe that the public good outweighs any disorder risks. 

 

Smashing Easter tennis courses announced

Some ace tennis sessions are being served up to residents of all ages throughout Easter.

Booking has opened for a number of courses inviting residents to net the chance to sharpen their tennis skills across the city over the next month

Upcoming sessions are at:

• Hull Road Park. This 10-week course, from Wednesday 15 April, is aimed at beginners or adults who haven’t played for a while. The sessions will be led by a fully-qualified LTA coach and held from 10am to 11am at a cost of £3.50 per session or £30 for the whole course. To book or for further information contact Jason May on 07900394788 or jason.may10@gmail.com

• Heworth Tennis Club. A fun tennis camp for children aged 6-16 of all ability levels during the Easter holidays led by a fully qualified LTA coach. Sessions run between 1pm and 4pm and take place on: Tuesday 31 March, Thursday 2 April, Tuesday 7 April and Thursday 9 April. The camp costs £10 for members and £15 for non members. To book or for further information contact Jason May on 07900394788 or  jason.may10@gmail.com

• Strensall Tennis Club. A new adult tennis coaching programme aimed at beginners or adults who haven’t played for while. The course starts on Friday 24 April for 8 weeks between 6pm and 7.30pm at a cost of just £2 per session.To book or for further information contact Matt Ward on 07882 267971, email matt@icanplaytennis.net or visit www.icanplaytennis.net.

• Wheldrake Tennis Club, which is running two 10 week programmes starting in April. Both programmes cost £30, the adult coaching course starts Monday 20 April 6pm to 7.30pm. The Rusty Rackets course for those who want to take up tennis starts on Tuesday 21 April 9.30am to 11am. To book or for further information contact Matt Ward on 07882 267971, email matt@icanplaytennis.net or visit www.icanplaytennis.net.

For information on tennis in the city or other sporting opportunities contact Sport Participation Officer Nick Settle on 01904 553377 or email nick.settle@york.gov.uk .

Deaflympics Badminton Player to launch new club

Andrea Hardwick, a Deaflympics badminton player is bringing along her gold and silver medals to York on Thursday 19 March to help launch York’s first deaf badminton club.

The new club will meet at York Railway Institute from 8pm to 9.30pm each week and is open to anyone who is Deaf or hard of hearing who would like to learn and play badminton. All levels of ability are welcome to attend and participants will be instructed by the club’s coach, Denis Cleary, who also coaches the Great Britain Deaf Badminton team.
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