Tea, team talks and toilets are now all in one place and close to the track at the new athletics pavilion at Foulston Park.
The new home for the City of Plymouth Athletics Club is now open and welcoming athletes, coaches and supporters in a pavilion next to the track – a vast improvement on the old wooden clubhouse which was on the other side of the car park. They also have secure shipping containers close by for the all-important kit.
COPAC surrendered the lease on their old clubhouse in return for support for a new pavilion to be built as part of the extensive negotiations that enabled the redevelopment to go ahead.
COPAC is a key stakeholder in the Foulston Park redevelopment that has been delivered through a partnership involving Plymouth Argyle, Argyle Community Trust, Plymouth City Council, Plymouth Albion RFC and Devonport Community Leisure Limited.
And thanks to the team-work-dream-work approach at Foulston, stakeholders have contributed in cash, kind and grants. Argyle funded the foundation slab and services such as water and electricity. They also procured the replacement gym and weight containers. Armada Athletic Network donated £5,800, the Council has committed £15,000 grant with COPAC funding the rest. Local company Stanlo Construction Ltd fitted out the interior with a small kitchen, a separate meeting room, storage room and a toilet.
Chair of COPAC Paul Crutchley said: “This has been a once in a generation opportunity for COPAC to move to a location they have always desired next to the track and field facility. The project has been a magnificent collaboration of many stakeholders and just goes to show what can happen when we all come together to achieve a joint goal. It is hoped the new pavilion will become a centre of excellence for athletics in Plymouth and the wider area and to engage a wide range of audiences to stay active.”
Councillor Kate Taylor, Cabinet Member for Finance and Sport said: “COPAC have been a key piece of the jigsaw that is Foulston Park. Their willingness to be displaced for a time has allowed the whole scheme to happen, and we are so grateful for their patience.
“This track is one of only four in Devon and we are keen to see local talent flourish here. Having better facilities helps us to do that – and the future for COPAC is bright!”
Paul Bearne, Chief Executive Officer of Plymouth Argyle, said: “The redevelopment of Foulston Park is an important part of the club’s long-term ambitions, providing a permanent home for our Academy and Plymouth Argyle Women while also creating better facilities for sport and the wider community. The new athletics pavilion is another important part of that.
“COPAC has been incredibly supportive throughout the development and we are delighted to see the club move into a new home right next to the track. It is a good example of what the partnership at Foulston Park is delivering, with organisations working together to improve facilities and create new opportunities for sport across the site.”
The Foulston Park redevelopment is transforming dated facilities across the former Brickfields complex to create a centre of sporting excellence and community wellbeing.
It will create a permanent home for Plymouth Argyle’s Academy and Plymouth Argyle Women’s team.
The Hub offers a range of health and wellbeing opportunities, including a state-of-the-art gym, physical activity programmes, mental health support, youth and veterans’ programmes and life skills training.
Outside there is a new dual-use 3G pitch, a refurbished 60×40 pitch, PlayZone and the completed project will also include brand-new grass pitches.
