A RALLYING call has been made to help Foleshill Community Centre revamp its ‘run down’ sports hall so it can offer a crucial lifeline to more youngsters in the city.
The centre, which has seen generations of Coventry sportsmen and women take part in activities such as judo and weightlifting for around 80 years, has not been updated since the 1970s.
The sports hall is only accessible via a steep staircase, making it difficult for people with disabilities to use it, many of the windows are broken and boarded up and the changing rooms are not fit for purpose.
In total, £350,000 is needed to fully redevelop the facilities at the centre.
The centre has raised enough cash through a crowdfunding page for a feasibility study, to ensure the building can support the community into the future.
That is now under way and future funds will go towards the hall’s regeneration which will include changing facilities, toilets, improving security and lighting in the building and making it more accessible.
Foleshill is a youthful neighbourhood with a high proportion of children and young people, but due to many of the area’s parents struggling with the cost-of-living, the sports centre makes most of its activities free for youngsters to take part in.
Last year Feeding Coventry, which runs the centre, handed out nearly 10,000 food parcels to local families via its ‘social supermarket.’
Helen Needham, CEO of Foleshill Community Centre, said: “It’s used by so many parent, youth and toddler groups who enjoy spending time together here, but unfortunately it’s just not a great facility and there aren’t that many sports spaces in Foleshill.
“It’s really difficult to get in and out of, the toilets are in a state of disrepair and it’s generally run down.
“We’d like to thank everyone who has donated and we are offering rewards to some of our donors.
“Foleshill deserves a great place to come and use, do fun activities, feel good and be together.”
Visit crowdfunder.co.uk/p/foleshill-community-centre-sports-hall or the centre itself to donate.
