Central Park

In September 2008 after a lot of discussions and consultation with the local community the Central Park Area Action Plan was adopted. The vision is:‘To create an outstanding venue of regional and national significance for active recreation, health, art, education culture and the environment, which will provide state of the art facilities for the people of Plymouth and the Sub-region of Devon and Cornwall.’

A major element of that document was the commitment to enhance the park’s environmental qualities, its fabric and facilities. This commitment was expressly set out in Policy CP04 of the plan and required the Council to prepare a draft masterplan in consultation with local communities and users of the park. The Council is now in a position where it has engaged extensively with stakeholders and park users and is ready to hear what the wider city community has to say about the ideas it has prepared.

So two years later what is happening?

Delivering the Life Centre

Client: Plymouth City Council, Directorate of Culture, Sport and Leisure
Partners: Plymouth University, Sport England and England Netball

Work to construct the Life Centre began in February of this year. With a budget of £46.5 million it is the city's single largest investment in sports and leisure to date and is one of the largest investment projects being delivered in the south west. The Life Centre will replace the outdated and poor quality facilities that exist within the city, bringing it all under one roof in a central location and the unique setting of Central Park. When operational in 2011 the Life Centre will become a regional and international venue for sporting excellence, providing high quality facilities for a broad range of indoor sports and top-class facilities for swimming and diving. This project underlines Plymouth City Council’s commitment to improving leisure and cultural facilities across the city, increasing participation in sports and improving the overall health and fitness of local residents. Providing a regional facility of this quality is also key to wider regeneration plans for Central Park and will help to attract further investment into Plymouth.
View the Life Centre planning application.

A Replacement Skatepark

Client: Plymouth City Council, Directorate of Culture, Sport and Leisure

The delivery of the Life Centre meant that the existing skatepark at Central Park would have to be removed. Plans to replace this facility are already in hand and a replacement location has been agreed south of the former site close to the existing swimming pool. The new site has many of the same benefits as the old one - it is relatively flat and contains few trees. It benefits from good surveillance, will be close to parking and has good emergency access. Design companies Freestyle Skateparks Ltd and Wheelscape Skate and Ride Ltd are currently working with ramp sports enthusiasts on two alternative plans for the park, both of which can be built in phases as and when more funding becomes available. The project will deliver a high quality design that protects and enhances the natural elements and appearance of Central Park. The aim is to create a really social space that non-skaters as well as skaters will use and it is hoped that passers-by will stop to admire the architecture of the park and watch the talented skaters using it.

A New Stadium for Plymouth Argyle

Client: Plymouth Argyle Football Club
Partners : Plymouth University, Plymouth City Development Company, Plymouth City Council, Devon County Council, Cornwall Council

Plymouth Argyle Football Club unveiled plans for a new stadium in December of last year, and led the city in its successful first round to become one of the twelve host cities for England’s 2018 World Cup bid. England will know if it will be successful in December of this year when FIFA will announce the winner. Whether England is successful or not Plymouth Argyle still intends to press on with plans to transform its ground and make it a more engaging destination in the park. The challenge for all involved will be to ensure the development fits with the overall plan to enhance Central Park. Proposals will need to provide a lasting and sustainable legacy for the city in a sensitive way that compliments the park.

Delivering Change Event

On 21 July 2010 an open invitation event was held at the Roland Levinsky Building. This event was organised to promote what has been happening in Central Park and the changes which are being made. The display panels which were at the event are available below:

Central Park display board [11MB]*