Proposal to replace old pavilion at Douai Park

However, to make the dreams a reality about £500,000 is going to have to be raised. Douai Park Recreation Association has submitted plans to demolish the existing sports pavilion and replace it with a two storey sports pavilion including changing rooms and community facilities. The plan also includes to construct a 49-space car park.
The existing pavilion was constructed in 1922 to honour the ‘Old Boys” of Douai School who were killed in the first world war.
The school closed in 1999 and Douai Abbey agree to lease the sports ground to the Douai Park Recreation Association for a 99-year period if they agreed to refurbish or rebuild the pavilion.
Chairman of the Douai Park Recreation Association, David Howe, said that the current pavilion was barely useable any more and it was almost in a dangerous state.
He said: "The pavilion has pretty much come to the end of its use. We need plans in place so that we can go out to everyone and anyone for a grant."
It is hoped that the new pavilion, complying with Sport England guidelines, would enable increased use of the playing fields at weekends by clubs and for local social events.
At present football, cricket and tennis clubs use the grounds.
Mr Howe added: "We think that the sporting facilities will disappear without the pavilion.
"We just got to the point where we thought we needed to have the plans in place so that people can have something to look at - they need to see what is possible. This way we hope to get more people involved."
Neighbouring parish Midgham Parish Council supported the application by saying it was "an excellent plan and a welcome addition to local facilities".
A final decision is expected by West Berkshire Council in early May.
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