What?
The project to renovate Highfield was started in 2007 by a group of local people whose vision was to bring back into community use a once council owned, and then mainly derelict, leisure facility with the aim of providing an outdoor community social hub, accessible to all. Much work went into putting a structure for sustainability in place. We now have a long term lease with Lancaster City Council and work as a sub group of The Gregson Community Association. The council maintains the greens & hedges and is responsible for the pavilion structure. The management group running Highfield has to generate income to cover running costs. Local residents raised £190k to reinstate the courts and boundaries and continue to work to raise funds to further develop the site.
Thanks to everyone who has helped to get us from an open-meeting of neighbours at the Gregson in 2007 to see if we could get the abandoned site in use again, to our current state.
WHY?
Highfield is in probably the most densely populated area of Lancaster with further housing developments planned. There is little or no access to ‘on the doorstep’ recreation facilities. Over 13,000 people currently live within a 15-20 minute walk of the site, including localized pockets of deprivation, often linked with poor health outcomes. The area is also served by 5 schools (3 primary and 2 secondary) .They have little or no such facilities and expressed support of this project. Research by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (2008) identified that 2 in 3 men and ¾ of all women do not achieve recommended levels of activity for health living, therefore the need for such a facility is clear. Life expectancy of males and females in Lancaster is, respectively, 10.4 and 7.4 years less than the national average; 16.8% of year 6 children and 21% of over 16 year olds are classed as obese. Richard Hammond, of Lancaster City Council (LCC), agreed that there was a real need for informal, free or “pay and play” facilities in Lancaster. The project greatly benefits the community and the many schools in the area. The development is DDA compliant making a difference to the standard of living of all who are disabled and accommodating their mobility needs.
The project to renovate Highfield was started in 2007 by a group of local people whose vision was to bring back into community use a once council owned, and then mainly derelict, leisure facility with the aim of providing an outdoor community social hub, accessible to all. Much work went into putting a structure for sustainability in place. We now have a long term lease with Lancaster City Council and work as a sub group of The Gregson Community Association. The council maintains the greens & hedges and is responsible for the pavilion structure. The management group running Highfield has to generate income to cover running costs. Local residents raised £190k to reinstate the courts and boundaries and continue to work to raise funds to further develop the site.
Thanks to everyone who has helped to get us from an open-meeting of neighbours at the Gregson in 2007 to see if we could get the abandoned site in use again, to our current state.
WHY?
Highfield is in probably the most densely populated area of Lancaster with further housing developments planned. There is little or no access to ‘on the doorstep’ recreation facilities. Over 13,000 people currently live within a 15-20 minute walk of the site, including localized pockets of deprivation, often linked with poor health outcomes. The area is also served by 5 schools (3 primary and 2 secondary) .They have little or no such facilities and expressed support of this project. Research by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (2008) identified that 2 in 3 men and ¾ of all women do not achieve recommended levels of activity for health living, therefore the need for such a facility is clear. Life expectancy of males and females in Lancaster is, respectively, 10.4 and 7.4 years less than the national average; 16.8% of year 6 children and 21% of over 16 year olds are classed as obese. Richard Hammond, of Lancaster City Council (LCC), agreed that there was a real need for informal, free or “pay and play” facilities in Lancaster. The project greatly benefits the community and the many schools in the area. The development is DDA compliant making a difference to the standard of living of all who are disabled and accommodating their mobility needs.
THE CHARITY - The Gregson Community Association Ltd
The Gregson Community Association Ltd (GCA) owns and supervises goings on at the Gregson Centre, an Arts & Community Centre within the Freehold area of Lancaster. It was formed in 1983 and became a registered company limited by guarantee in November 2007 and continues to operate as a charity with the following mission statement adopted in 2003:
“To promote and encourage discussion and participation in arts and community events, issues, activities and groups in order to improve the quality of life for the whole community. To excite, engage, stimulate and fulfill.”
The Charity is run by a committee of Trustees/Directors (The GCA Board of Trustees), elected annually and governed by a memorandum and articles of association
The Gregson Community Association Ltd (GCA) owns and supervises goings on at the Gregson Centre, an Arts & Community Centre within the Freehold area of Lancaster. It was formed in 1983 and became a registered company limited by guarantee in November 2007 and continues to operate as a charity with the following mission statement adopted in 2003:
“To promote and encourage discussion and participation in arts and community events, issues, activities and groups in order to improve the quality of life for the whole community. To excite, engage, stimulate and fulfill.”
The Charity is run by a committee of Trustees/Directors (The GCA Board of Trustees), elected annually and governed by a memorandum and articles of association