Running a field is a balance between maintaining it to a standard acceptable for all its users and improving it to cater for changing needs and population demographics.
Every individual that uses a playing field or recreation ground believes they know what is required to make it the ‘perfect field’. It may be more football pitches, a play area, skateboarding facilities or a village hall or community centre. Unfortunately you can guarantee that these ideas do not match everyone else’s ideas or the finances required are way beyond the abilities of the local community.
The essential step in improving a field is deciding what is required or appropriate for that particular field or community. You cannot raise funds for several projects at once but must focus on one item at a time. The managers of the site must consult not only the users of the site but the potential users and the community around the ground, especially the neighbours.
You should be aware of the amount of work that will be required and ensure that there are enough volunteers to do the work. Give people responsibilities for areas of work as soon as possible to ensure that everything is covered. Committees are great for ideas and support but ensure everyone knows who is responsible for what.
Dependent upon what you intend doing you many need planning approval, contact you local planning authority, within your local council, to discuss what you are going to do.
Once you have decided what aspect of the field you are going to improve you need to look at the budget you require, there is useful advice and help at www.funderfinder.org.uk. Remember VAT, even if you are a charity you will be liable for this tax so contact your local Customs and Excise Office or their national helpline on 0845 010 9000 for advice.
You now need to start raising the funds.
Dependent on what you are doing you may need advice. If you are providing drainage, a new wicket, green, courts etc or landscaping you should contact an independent expert (link to technical services) who will provide an appropriate design specifically for your field. This design would then be put out to tender and you could employ the expert to oversee the process to completion or undertake that role yourselves)
If you are putting in a new play area you would go directly to a minimum of three play equipment manufacturers and installers and ask them to design an appropriate play area for your site within your budget for the age group you are targeting. You would then decide, with the aid of the children and parents, which you would prefer.
Similar processes are followed for other developments with pavilions being the possibly the most complicated with a need for architects etc.
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