400 speak out on Springfield Park's future

Around 400 people have completed a questionnaire outlining their thoughts for the future of Springfield Park.

The questionnaire was handed out to members of the public at a Vision Day for the park, which was held last month. 

However, many people present at the Vision Day, which included the Friends of Springfield Park group, have voiced their concerns that no mention of the proposed golf driving range was made in the questionnaire.

The driving range is one of the major proposals for the old football and cricket pitches at the park and it has sparked widespread controversy.

Councillor Wera Hobhouse said: "I am very pleased that the consultation has taken place at last. It should have happened two years ago. At that point, the proposals for the golf driving range would have been discussed in a much more rational manner. As it is now, trenches have been dug, and it will be very difficult to shift fixed opinions."

Rochdale's Boroughwide Cultural Trust, known as Link4Life, said that they had to withdraw the pitches from formal use three years ago due to a lack of funding to bring them up to standard.

Meanwhile, the former chairman of the Rochdale mid-week cricket league John Murray has spoken out this week about how the league was forced to close in 2004 because it was only a matter of time before a player was seriously injured on the Springfield Park pitch.

"I will forever be very disappointed that the Rochdale Mid-week Cricket League had to close after the 2004 season due to the sub-standard cricket pitches at Springfield Park," said Mr Murray.

"Since the League started in 1949, six matches a week were played on these pitches and they were integral. So many years of sporting enjoyment and the good social aspects sadly came to a close. They should have been able to continue well into the future.

"As Chairman of the league, my committee and I had no alternative but to bring the mid-week cricket to a close. This was because the pitches were deteriorating and we would not allow the possibility of a cricketer being injured. The well-being and safety of the players was of paramount importance."

The Council will report back on the findings of the questionnaires next month.

Andrew Whitehead, Environmental Management Performance & Development Manager at the Council, said: "I think we would all agree that this is a fantastic response and can all be encouraged that so many people take an interest and want to have their say in the future of the park.

"In addition to the questionnaires, children who attended the visioning day have also made an important contribution in terms of models and banners they have made and some great ideas for play equipment. This feedback will also be included in the report."