Several improvements are proposed for the sportsground at The Saffrons in Eastbourne. These range from sports facility upgrades such as new pitches, the urgent refurbishment of the clubhouse, to the installation of a new Padel tennis centre. In addition, we want to give something back to the community - a new vision for time spent with family and friends. We will be able to offer primarily a place for sport, but not limited to that. A place for local people to work, eat, celebrate, engage and socialise, and try out new things. Work here for a few hours, collaborate with other local operators, meet new people, use the community meeting spaces, catch up with friends for a coffee, eat local produce, enjoy the natural beauty of The Saffrons, which has been mostly untouched since 1886.
The purpose of this survey is to gather views, opinions and suggestions from local residents. We wish to encourage more people to the Saffrons and would very much like to hear your views. Please complete this anonymous online survey. The survey will run from 25th April until 5 pm on 10th May 2024. If you prefer to have a survey emailed to you, please contact
office@thesaffrons.org The planned improvements include:
1
A new Padel Tennis Centre. Padel is a social sport played by all ages, on a court smaller than a tennis court, with glass walls at the side and back which can be used as part of the game. It’s a cross between tennis and squash and it’s played with a padel and ball. There will be four padel courts and we expect it to become a friends and family favourite.
2
Essential upgrades to the clubhouse, including changing rooms, toilets, kitchen and bar. The clubhouse is the ‘hub’ of the sportsground, and vital for changing and as a social space. Flexibility of the space is key and the planned changes will facilitate use by new and existing sports alike. We also hope to encourage use by community groups with activities such as yoga, high intensity interval training (HIT) and active heart sessions as well as available space for meetings, family celebrations, and community use.
3
New lighting and refurbishment of the hockey artificial turf pitch.
4
Convert the full size football pitch to artificial turf.
5
Establish a Health Pathway around the perimeter of the sportsground for health and wellbeing purposes, and parkrun events.
6
Create an outside hospitality space to enjoy the surrounding green space that is the Saffrons. This will include a covered seating area and it will form the link between the Padel tennis facility and the new clubhouse café.
7
Upgrade the existing cricket nets.
8
Develop a clear vision for how we care for the environment, including a sensory garden for residents and visitors alike, areas of wildflowers and plants, and a plan to reduce our carbon footprint.
