In the summer of 2012 we helped organise a mini-olympics on the Marlborough Playground in SE1. This event was aimed at the six local primary schools who do not have any sports facilities at their schools. We helped Bankside Open Spaces Trust (BOST) design and build a Beach Volleyball court, a 5- aside football/hockey pitch, an 80m running track, table tennis and boxing ring. We persuaded local developers and Contractors to build the temporary facilities. For the last 5 years we have been helping BOST make this facility permanent. The vision is to create a Sports Garden that can facilitate 20 sports that the primary schools can access in school time and after school. Forge sits on the advisory and client group and has also helped with drawings and other architectural advice.
The 3rd of 4 phases is due for completion in the spring. This phase sees 5 permanent floodlit pitches that will enable the delivery of 15 sports. The last phase once we have funding will deliver another pitch, a café, changing rooms and extensive greening.
We are committed to see the project through to it’s conclusion, we can’t help thinking that the current statistics around childhood obesity in North Southwark (worst in the country) is something to do with the lack of sports facilities and access to a range of sports in the primary schools.
