Hard hats on for Barn Elms transformation (From Richmond and Twickenham Times)

Hard hats on for Barn Elms transformation

2:55pm Tuesday 15th November 2011 in News By Christine Fleming

Work is under way on a £2.3m project to transform a plot of land on Barnes playing fields into a sporting hub.

Diggers and workmen appeared on site this week ready to start work on the ambitious project, which will see Barn Elms playing fields, in Queen Elizabeth Walk, transformed into a state-of-the-art multi-sports facility for the whole community.

Karen Moore, a trustee at the Barn Elms Sports Trust (Best), spearheading the sports redevelopment project with Richmond Council, said the fact the project was able to go ahead was testament to the hard work of neighbouring residents who helped ensure the project got the go ahead.

She said: “This work is the culmination of years of hard work and commitment from the local residents. “The planned regeneration of the site sets a new benchmark for what community action can achieve.

“Barn Elms will provide an outstanding sports hub for all, on land now protected in perpetuity from further development approaches.”

On completion, currently scheduled for June 2013, the new multi-sport and community facility will give residents access to a range of sports including football, rugby and cricket.

Funding has come from Richmond Council, Best, the London Marathon Charitable Trust and the Football Foundation.

Councillor Pamela Fleming, Richmond’s cabinet member for communities, business and culture, said: “The new facilities at Barn Elms set a standard for what can be achieved by people working together with the council.

“While it has taken some time in the making, I’m pleased we now have a programme of works, shaped to meet the wishes of the community, and that will be ready for use by the community in just under two years.”

The 46-acre site will have a pavilion with six changing rooms and a community room, a revised pitch layout with eight mini football pitches, two junior and five senior pitches.

There will also be two rugby union pitches, three new tennis courts and two cricket ovals as well as the preservation of the existing running track.