September 2015 - Message from Student Activities

The University are near to completion of transferring land, exchanging the sports pitches at Castle Irwell to become part of the Castle Irwell Flood Defence Scheme with the David Lewis Playing Fields (DLPF).

The University have surveyed DLPF over the summer period, looking at the gradient of the pitches and assessing the feasibility of their current condition for physical activity. Initial findings are that extensive works will be needed to create the highest quality playing areas.

The University have advised the Union that, as far as possible, external facilities should be used for Sports Club training and British University and College Sport (BUCS) Fixtures. The University is supporting the Union to achieve this. Club Sport teams should have received notification of this year’s training times and locations from the Union's Sport & Activities Department.

The Union and University are working on plans to develop DLPF in to combination of 3G and 4G pitches, an All Weather pitch, with new changing and storage facilities. Together we are currently researching funding options and building business cases for the development of the site over the next 3-5 years.

There will be opportunities for student feedback to help with this process.

What does this mean for me?

The time needed to investigate and secure funding resources will mean that DLPF for the majority of training and BUCS fixtures will be out of action for this next Academic year. While the Union regrets that this will have an impact on this season’s campus sport, the opportunity to invest in modern playing pitches will be a fantastic opportunity for sport at Salford in the coming years.

Whilst that work is undertaken and we recognise the DLPF pitches are less than ideal, they are still an excellent location for informal  sports and exercise immediately beside the new residencies.

If you have any questions, please contact Student Sport & Activities Department on StudentActivities-USSU@Salford.ac.uk