Stoke-on-trent sport and physical activity strategy 2009-2016

375. From a sport and active recreation perspective, new facilities should be able toaccommodate a range of activities as well as soft ball practice for a number ofadditional sports. The activities might include:• Short Mat Bowls (ideally three carpets)• Table Tennis (ideally four tables)• Gymnastics• Aerobics/Keep Fit• Martial Arts• Judo• Yoga• Five-a-side Football (softball)• Short Tennis• Fencing• Pilates376. The interior must be designed to as a suitable environment for all potential useswith lighting that can be adapted to suit different activities, flush-faced walls anda safe, durable, “impact energy absorbing” floor. Consideration should be givento the window materials in order to reduce the scope for vandalism.377. Sport and physical activity requirements are often best-served where there issufficient space for an outdoor multi-use games area or similar to supplementactivities taking place inside. This in turn has the benefit of passive managementof the MUGA, sports court or skate park facility.378. If the site provides outdoors for cricket, tennis or bowls the building could doubleas a pavilion - although changing room provision will need to be appropriatelyorientated, and accessible by a separate door from the outside.379. A new stand-alone building is often the preferred solution but there are otheroptions that may prove more economical:• Extension and upgrading of an existing community hall to improveenvironmental standards and permit more activities;• Addition of a hall, store and revised circulation to a refurbished sportspavilion;• Inclusion of a community hall in a sports and leisure centre;• Planning for community use of new schools (primary or secondary) e.g. underthe BSF programme or by upgrading some of the existing accommodation.Nortoft Partnerships Ltd <strong>Stoke</strong>-on-Trent Page | 241Sport & Physical Activity Strategy 2009-2016October 2009