How right Emma Back (Winchester Sport and Leisure Trust) is – sport is an important part of health and well being for people.

News that the developer behind the proposed housing development on South Winchester Golf Course, Bloor Homes, has launched a sport survey to ‘test the water for new sporting facilities in Winchester’ is fantastic, however the published survey is unfortunately superficial at best, and is focused upon individuals needs rather than those of the clubs and societies who really understand the negative impact that the lack of sports and leisure facilities creates. 

So while it's seven out of 10 for effort and three out of 10 for execution this is still a wonderful opportunity to bring new sports and leisure facilities to Winchester, so anyone interested in new sports for the city should please complete the survey, and be sure to not be afraid of using the ‘other’ option at the bottom of the list if you would like to see facilities for sports that are hugely popular but sit outside the mainstream.

I know I am biased, as I have personally seen the positive and diverse community impact that ice skating had when we had a rink in Southampton, and the subsequent decline when it closed in 1988.

Along with many sports that have captured the imagination of us all at Olympic Games of the past we need to voice our interest in having these facilities for us all to enjoy into the future. Winchester is uniquely placed to build both high quality housing and high quality sport and leisure facilities that local residents would love to use over the coming years. So whether it’s a new ice rink, boxing club or all weather pitches for hockey and football, please have your say and say yes to the creation of more local sports facilities for our Olympians and World Cup winners of the future.

Edna Boden
Winchester Ice Sport Association,
Greenhill Road, 
Winchester 

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