When will the Blackbridge Community and Sports Hub open?

The Blackbridge Community and Sports Hub is now open!

As a resident of Podsmead, what will the Blackbridge Community and Sports Hub offer me? 

There are a wide range of sports and fitness activities including a gym, a studio space for classes, a 3G outdoor pitch and a social space which can be hired – visit Blackbridge Community and Sports Hub | Freedom Leisure for more details and how to book or join. The Blackbridge Community and Sports Hub will also become home to our Blackbridge Youth Work Team with activities for young people taking place several times a week.

What about other community activities?

The centre will host a range of well being, educational, sport and social activities. We expect a range of public sector and community partners to provide services and support from the site. If you would like to suggest something you would like to happen there then please do let us know. The Blackbridge CCBS team and partners will also continue to run other activities out in the community.

What is phase 2 of the Blackbridge Community and Sports Hub development and when will it happen?

Phase 2 of the project involves levelling the grass areas of Blackbridge field and installing significantly improved pitch drainage connected as part of a sustainable urban drainage (SUDs) scheme for the whole site. This will provide much improved grass football pitches and rugby training areas together with a new cricket square. The SUDs system will also substantially improve the biodiversity across the whole site. Phase 2 will utilise all the soil currently stored on site in the levelling of the pitches. Blackbridge Charitable Community Benefit Society is currently working towards securing the funds to undertake this work with a view to starting on site in the summer of 2025.

Who owns and operates the Blackbridge Community and Sports Hub site?

Blackbridge Charitable Community Benefit Society (CCBS) have a 125 year lease of the site from Gloucester City Council. Blackbridge CCBS have led the development of the site utilising Podsmead based contractors EG Carters as the main builder. Most subcontractors utilised have also been local. Blackbridge CCBS have agreed a 10 year partnership with Freedom Leisure to be the site operators and they will run the site on a day to day basis.

What is the Blackbridge Charitable Community Benefit Society?

The Blackbridge CCBS is a community organisation with entirely charitable objectives established at the end of 2021. The Podsmead Big Local has also asked the Blackbridge CCBS to help deliver their legacy plan which includes leading the development of the Blackbridge Community and Sports Hub, as well as wider community development across Podmead.