The long-awaited dream of a university sports centre is closer than ever today after a dramatic intervention by a group of prominent backers.
The Tab can exclusively reveal that a number of Hawks’ club alumni are offering to take on the task of raising the necessary funds for the historic project.
Hawks’ Club president Ian Ralby yesterday told The Tab: “this is huge. This is the turning point potentially for finally making this project happen”.
The group’s plans are currently in their infancy, but the development would be based on the West Cambridge site, where planning permission was granted ten years ago for a university-backed centre.
An architect’s impression of what the planned centre at West Cambridge would look like from the road (courtesy of Arup Associates).
The Tab has learned that plans would fill in the gaps in the current system, providing a multisport hall and social centre, a swimming pool and floodlit pitches.
Ralby’s dramatic announcement follows three weeks of fast-moving discussions as he put together a steering group of influential Hawks’ Club alumni.
The ball was set rolling when the problem was first brought to their attention at a meeting in London on November 2nd.
Ollie Slack, President between 1998 and 1999, described the general reaction of the ex-Tabs at the lack of sporting facilities as one of disbelief: “Frankly a lot of the alumni were shocked when they found out how bad the situation really was. No one really knew. Everything is going to swing into action quite quickly now.”
The decision was swiftly made to improve the situation, and help the project to develop as quickly and effectively as possible.
The agreement was cemented at the Steele-Bodger Rugby match on Wednesday, a popular event for returning sports players, as a group of alumni met with developers to discuss the plan’s feasibility.
The next step will be gathering the funding, rumoured to add up to tens of millions of pounds, and working out the details of the complex with University officials.
Ralby and the group of backers know that working with the University is central to the success of the project.
He said: “We’re not criticising the University in any way. We’re not pointing any fingers at why this project hasn’t happened previously. All we’re trying to do is come to the table with a solution to what seems the principal problem, which is funding.”
The University have yet to react officially to the new plan, although Ralby told us that a representative he met yesterday was “pretty pleased!”.
One possibility would be putting the relatively inexpensive pitches in first, a strategy that could see building start before the end of next year.
Last night the group released an official statement, promising to “explore positively avenues for the provision of facilities that match the [Hawks'] Club’s heritage and its aspirations. Resident and alumni members of the Hawks’ Club look forward to continuing to work with the University.”
Follow the story as it develops here on The Tab.
There have been a lot of setbacks with this project before. If these guys manage to make it happen, it would be the biggest development for this university for a long long time.
finally a story that isn't about the protesting lunatics.
thank you tab
errr…errr…errr… ummm. err… ummm….
Finally a story that doesn't mention Lacrosse… thankyou!
Hey guys its Rat,
Just really hoping these plans for a sports comlex go ahead. I'm currently training really hard for the world tooth growing championships and I think I've got a real chance, its great to finally have some facilities.
Does anyone know if there'll be any cuttlefish there for me to sharpen my incisors?
Regards,
Rat
A sports complex is really neat,
A place to train, and compete!
I cannot wait to try it there,
And I will wear, some underwear!
Training commando
Is the only way to go
Less sweaty mojo!
Hi commenters,
I'm a (soon to be single) mother and am getting increasingly annoyed with my son, who wants to be a fucking astroturf when he's older. Fuck that shit, fucking turfy bastard, does he want to be any more (but not quite) like grass? Its just because his dad reckons its more honourable to have hockey played on you than badminton, which quite frankly is the biggest load of cunting bullshit I've ever heard.
If anyone knows any very close shaving lawnmowers, so that his shitty astro grass becomes rendered useless, let me know, cause I'd rather have a bath with Ian Huntley than allow this disgusting course of action
Fuck that
Mrs. Badmintoncourt Strotorf
sometimes it's fun to dress up
THIS IS AMAAAAZING NEWS!!!!