Hall to be used for community benefit after lease offered
Innsworth Community Hall has been offered to Gloucestershire-based Sportily to run and maintain the building. They intend to reopen the facility and make it available for community organisations and local residents to hire, as well as run activities including Active Tots, sports groups, pilates and holiday clubs.
The community hall is owned by the county council and was previously occupied by the Innsworth Community Hall Association, who vacated the building in July 2021.
The building, the construction of which was part funded by Tewkesbury Borough Council, was advertised to charitable and community groups. Following a thorough selection process, sports charity Sportily was chosen to run the facility on a peppercorn lease basis up until December 2030.
The building is made up of a sports hall, changing facilities, toilets, meeting rooms, a kitchen, reception area and car park.
It is expected to be open to the community in autumn this year once the legal process to complete the lease has taken place.
Cllr Lynden Stowe, deputy leader of Gloucestershire County Council and cabinet member for finance and change, said: “I’m delighted that we have found a tenant for Innsworth Community Hall so it can be brought back into use to benefit the local community. Sportily impressed with their focus on delivering sports-based family activities and I’m sure they will be welcomed by residents.”
Cllr Paul McLain, local county councillor for Highnam, said: “I’m delighted that this wonderful community facility is coming back on line with Sportily. It is a real gem in the heart of Innsworth. The Community Hall was originally built for community use and I’ve been so keen to get it up and running again. Sportily taking it over will give us a wide range of sports and leisure activities. Such great news for residents.”
Cllr Sarah Hands, Tewkesbury Borough Council deputy leader (Innsworth ward), said: “This is a great result for Innsworth. The community has suffered from a lack of facilities since the hall closed in 2021 and I’m pleased that residents’ voices have now been heard. I am also delighted that Sportily have taken on the hall and that they will be delivering a space that is open to everyone. The space will play a big part in strengthening the community."
Jacob Ferguson, Sportily’s Coach for the area, said: “I’m so excited that Sportily is able to play a part in bringing this building back into local community use and for all the diversity of activities that will be able to make use of the space. I can’t wait to hear laughter, music, activity, games and people in the building again, bringing it back to life. Buildings don’t make a community, but they help to facilitate its growth and I hope that Innsworth Community Hall will help this community to grow and have fun together in the future.”