The Centre remains in a healthy financial position and the contribution to income from our regular hirers and one-off private hires is up £1000 on last year, following simplification of our hire charge structure. This income now nearly matches the income from affiliated Clubs which, overall has risen slightly. Income from Table Tennis is lower and this is an area which should be looked at in view of the number of sessions that table tennis make use of.

We have also had a successful fundraising social with the second Race Night back in April, and this helped bring in £2000 (though strictly speaking this is the 26/27 income year!).

It has been great to see football back at the Sports Centre with Hotspire Football Club’s adult team hiring the football pitch and changing rooms last season on an initial discounted rate. They have approached the Centre for next season, and to extend into use for matches by their junior sides. A decision and hire rate need to be agreed.

As in recent years, managing the facilities has continued with various challenges; and these resting with a small committee. This is something that has to be addressed so the pressure is released a little, and the next succession of committee members start to take some of the responsibility. Without this, the Sports Centre, like other community facilities in the Valley, could have an uncertain future.

A fundamental change to grounds maintenance arrangements occurred in the year. With Nigel Hayes retiring, the Executive looked at a way to ensure ongoing and good quality grounds maintenance but at an affordable cost that would not demand additional equipment maintenance and storage. This led to a partnership with Broad Chalke and Bishopstone parish councils and the appointment of Idverde on a maintenance specification. Whilst costs are higher, there is no additional cost for equipment, and we have a sustainable arrangement. It has not been without teething problems but, hopefully, these are now largely ironed out.

It’s good to see to see our regular hirers of Pilates, Yoga and Zumba continue to be popular and the Cricket Club now firmly established at Broad Chalke and doing well with the most recent addition of Little Badgers cricket coaching on Tuesday evenings over the summer though a partnership with District Sports.

Summer Petanque also goes from strength to strength with the popular Friday evening social as well as three Teams playing competitive league pétanque.

Tennis continues to be the largest club affiliated to the Centre, and they have again organised some excellent coaching classes that have seen both new members join, and existing members improve, and the establishment of more opportunities for players of all standards to enjoy social as well as competitive tennis.

Indoor bowls have also added extra opportunities for new and existing player to have a go.

FACILITY DEVELOPMENTS

The Multi Use Games Area – This has been in situ coming up two years and underwent its first contractor clean which we delayed from last autumn to this spring so that the winter detritus could be cleaned away. The courts play well and continue to be very well received and better used with more Club sessions and new coaching activities delivered by FAR Sports. As a reminder, we took the decision to line only with tennis courts as there was no demand from netball nor pickleball. However, it does not rule out additional lines for other sports in the future should there be the demand.

Clean Up Morning- Our annual Saturday morning maintenance and clean up was well attended as always and great work done by all the volunteers investing nearly a week’s worth of labour in just a couple of hours back in October.

YOUR SPORTS CENTRE NEEDS YOU.

With each year that passes the tasks associated with running the Centre do not get easier. The small Executive Committee of 3 continue to ensure that the facilities remain open, that funds are secured, maintenance is undertaken, the grass is cutand that club bookings, special events and private hires are managed efficiently. My thanks to Michaela and Tim for all the work they do, quietly, effectively, and with little drama, so that the members of our Affiliated Clubs can just turn up and enjoy their sports. 

A thank you, as always, to Caroline Mouland for keeping the Centre clean and tidy. Very often this work goes on unnoticed behind the scenes and so flexibly, with little or no impact on Club sessions and use by hirers. Without it we would not have the wonderful facilities that we do.

Also, to Phil and Ali Jones, who have taken up being the eyes and ears on daily circuits around the Centre, and any problems reported.

Looking ahead. As I mentioned last year, there continue to be many challenges for the Centre to tackle. We need to remain viable, both in terms of a functioning committee with the energy to manage and administer the Centre, but clearly also financially through keeping costs under tight rein; increasing membership numbers; and continuing to seek grants. We are not funded like many local authority facilities and so all these aspects are vital if we are to remain open and accessible. We can only do so with volunteer support and the partnership with our Clubs.

I would like to thank Broad Chalke, Bishopstone, Ebbesbourne Wake and Bowerchalke parish councils for their continued financial support. It is very much appreciated.

On behalf of the CVSC Executive Committee.

Chris Rothwell

Chairman