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Justification and Need for a Clubhouse

• A facility that allows proper, safe and regular use of the athletics track itself and which facilitates adequate preparation for and use of the track by athletes and coaches
• A focal point for communicating with club members and selection of teams as well as with parents and members
• A place to hold committee meetings and regional and UK athletics coaching and official’s courses. At present these cannot effectively be held at the Sports Centre as there are no facilities adjacent to the track suitable.
• A facility that could be used for committee meetings and coaching courses by other sports clubs and associations who use the Sports Centre (Cricket, Netball, Hockey, football)
• A shelter from weather on club training nights or competitions for all those involved in matches or training including athletes, coaches, officials, spectators and especially parents who will have brought their children to participate in the training activities.
• A facility that will allow more extensive and safe use of the track throughout the year rather than just in the track season
• A place for officials who are essential to the smooth running of athletics events (e.g. track judges, field officials and timekeepers) to meet, change, prepare and coordinate efficient management of competitions
• A facility from which to organize and host top level fixtures such as the British League and other high quality invitation events which are currently difficult to host because of the lack of facilities for athletes both from Team Southampton and other visiting clubs.
• A facility for athletes to use toilet facilities, the nearest of which currently are located about ¼ mile away. The current portakabin facilities are inappropriate for changing for athletes of all ages and both sexes together and the provision of facilities will help concerns around the safety of children currently forced to leave the vicinity of the athletics track to use toilet and changing facilities.
• A potential venue for the provision of refreshments/water to athletes, provide for holding some limited club social events and carrying on of other fund raising activities to support the club. The existing local refreshment facilities in the Sports Centre are now closed and the building is understood to be condemned.
• A facility that helps in the safe participation by disabled athletes and allows the club to meet the requirements of the Disabled Discrimination Act (DDA). The club currently has a number of disabled athletes who regularly compete in open meetings or fixtures or who use the track for training and a venue suitable for disabled athletes is an important driver for the project. The current Portakabins are simply inaccessible by some disabled athletes
• A focal point for the community and a facility from which local schools athletics events can be properly coordinated and managed
• A legacy facility commensurate with those used by athletes from the UK or elsewhere in the run up to the 2012 Olympics and 2012 Paralympics and which could be used for supporting future major athletics events in the region or the UK.
• A facility to assist in the scientific analysis and performance assessment of athletes and athletics activities.