The University of Liverpool is hoping to install a new rugby pitch on a historic sports ground despite it being “not a huge sport on Merseyside.”
An application has been made to Liverpool Council by the higher education facility to install an artificial grass rugby pitch at the Wyncote Sports Ground on Mather Avenue. According to a design and access statement submitted to the local authority, the university has reviewed its resources and requirements for tournament play and “have identified this area of the site as ideal for a new pitch.”
The report said: “The grounds were donated to the University of Liverpool, for the recreational use of students in 1918 in memory of Geoffrey Hughes. The site contains multiple sport pitches and training facilities, with the grade II listed Sport Pavilion in the centre of the site, and the cricket pavilion to the Northeast, close to the proposed rugby pitch.
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“The buildings form part of the sporting facility, owned by the University of Liverpool, named the Geoffrey Hughes Athletics Ground.” Currently, the university’s rugby union and American Football teams are training at external facilities which it said are at “considerable cost” and having adequate and dependable facilities “is essential for the sports teams and would allow the university to host tournaments and be able to also provide use for the local community teams.”
The report, submitted by Cunliffes property and construction consultants, concluded in its submission: “The university is currently in need of a competition compliant Rugby pitch for matches and training. The site and location have been identified as being underutilised and would be beneficial to the sports ground and the future of sport at the university.”
An appendix on the sports development case for the pitch attached to the report said: “Although Rugby is not a huge sport on Merseyside it is a big sport at University here and there is only one other rugby compliant 3G in Liverpool which is heavily used by football and expensive to hire.”
Despite the loss of two grass pitches for the new facility, a further eight natural football pitches, three rugby pitches and two grass lacrosse surfaces would be retained. A date for the plans to be considered has yet to be confirmed.
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