Why are you considering a new pavilion?
The current buildings are not up to the standard required from modern sporting clubhouse facilities. Additionally they do not comply with recent legislation with regard to disability and provide no useful purpose in their current state for users of the tennis club. The Parish council firmly believes that the recreation ground needs a facility that will last well into the future and meets the needs of the village in a more practical and comfortable way than the existing tired buildings.

What is the Pavilion working party for?
This is a group formed under the guidance of the Parish council and the recreation ground sub-committee to investigate what options there are to improve facilities on the recreation ground in keeping with the overall strategy for this valuable village asset. The pavilion group meets on an ad hoc basis and is chaired by Ambrose McGinn. Minutes of the meeting can be found on the www.oving.org website.

Can I take part?
Absolutely we are very keen to use the experience and expertise of all in the village on this project. This can be on an ad hoc basis or a more regular commitment. Contact Ambrose McGinn on 641026 or email ambrose_mcginn@oving.org

Has this project been sufficiently communicated?
Every effort has been made to communicate the intentions and action of the Parish council with regard to this project. The outline idea and a call for volunteers was made on a number of occasions through the village newsletter. The meeting dates and minutes are being posted on the Notice board as well as the Oving website. Additionally the minutes are being published in full within the newsletter.

So what’s happened so far?
The working group is gathering ideas and costs for a number of options, including renovate the existing Pavilion, rebuild a new pavilion on the existing footprint and build a new pavilion on a new site adjacent to the tennis courts.

Why consider moving the existing pavilion?
The current site is OK for the Football club but is much less practical for the tennis club and other users. The toilets are far away from the children’s area and there is no vehicle or reasonable disabled / wheelchair access. A pavilion closer to the car park, tennis, childrens area and with good allround vision of the Rec is considered to be an improvement on the current position.

What would this mean for the children’s playground?
The Parish Council would ensure that a children’s playground still existed although it may be re-sited. Professional advice is being sought as to the best way to do this to ensure appropriate location, for visibility and access.

If you build a new clubhouse on the recreation ground does that mean planning permission would be granted for other perhaps unwanted buildings?
We do not as yet have an official view on this matter but it is understood from an experienced member of the working group that a new pavilion would not lead to an easing of the current planning guidelines

Will new facilities attract more visitors and traffic?
The Parish council is committed to maintaining and improving the facilities and this will inevitably lead to greater usage. The planning will carefully consider the impact on the village however a balance needs to be struck between appropriate facilities for the village to use and the impact of visitors

Have any decisions been taken?
No. We are as yet at the investigative stage and hope to put a proposal to the Parish Council and village for wider consultation in the spring.

Can we afford it?
The current facilities are starting to cost the Parish Council as they need much more care and maintenance than in previous years. A new building would have very low running costs and these would be met through the normal Parish council precept.

How much would it cost to build a new pavilion?
It will clearly cost a substantial amount, depending on design and construction. However it is recognized that we would be building a facility to be used for probably over 100 years and so a robust and well-built structure is required.

How would we fund this new building?
We anticipate that we would have a mixture of local fundraising events (which helps to get people together in the village!) and grant applications to National Lottery, football foundation and the like. Success of course is not guaranteed and we would not commence building work until all funding was secured and in place.

What would happen to the reading room?
At the moment it is envisaged that the reading room would remain as it is. The interior has been modestly improved in recent times and it provides a useful committee meeting room for the village.

What would be the facilities in the pavilion?
The facilities would include changing rooms and showers, a kitchen, storage and a meeting area. Outside we envisage a veranda for spectators of tennis, football and any other sports played on the recreation ground.

Will there be facilities for non-sports villagers?
Yes. The meeting area would be large enough for an informal gathering of a bridge club or perhaps a mother and toddler group. It is definitely not intended to provide village hall facilities for large-scale social functions but rather a meeting place for small groups or clubs to use within the village.

Do you have a question to ask? If so click here to send your question by email.