By John Wimperis, Local Democracy Reporter: Plans for two new schools as well as new sports facilities are under way as part of Bath & North East Somerset Council investment in the former Culverhay school and Odd Down Sports Ground sites.
Draft plans for Odd Down will be unveiled for public consultation in the spring. These would include state-of-the- art facilities such as a brand new gym and fitness spaces, padel tennis courts and the creation of walking trails around the playing fields perimeter.
The investment is part of a planned closure of Culverhay Sports Centre to enable work to start on constructing two new Department of Education Free Schools on the existing site. One will be a 120-place Special School and the other a 55-place Alternative Provision School.’
Councillor Paul May, cabinet member for Children’s Services, said: “We are working with the Department of Education to develop Free Schools on the Culverhay site, the scheme is still in its early stages. Eventually the schools will provide education for young people who need support and won’t have to go out of the area for their education.”
Councillor Alison Born, cabinet member for Adult Services, added: “As part of the scheme the council is also investing in improved fitness and wellbeing facilities. The old sports centre at Culverhay needs to close ahead of work to develop two schools. Following consultation and subject to planning and funding approval we want to enhance the facilities at Odd Down.”
Culverhay Sports Centre, which has been operational since the 1990s, currently functions in the evenings and partially on weekends. It has now reached the end of its viable lifespan. GLL, the not-for-profit social enterprise operating under the Better brand, manages leisure centres across Bath and Keynsham on behalf of the council.
The sports centre is set to close its doors on Saturday, June 28,
Barnaby Rich, GLL Partnership Manager for B&NES, said “Our vision for Odd Down includes significantly enhanced availability throughout the week, thereby increasing sports and activity options for residents.
“Health and fitness members at Culverhay Sports Centre will have access to all our UK centres and can continue their fitness routines at our Bath or Keynsham leisure centres at no extra cost. Additionally, we plan to run some of Culverhay’s ongoing classes at Odd Down Sports Ground to reduce the necessity for extra travel. Once the Odd Down redevelopment is complete, former Culverhay Sports Centre members will be welcomed to a new, modern, and fit-for-purpose facility.”
To ensure the continuity of sporting activities, sports clubs currently using Culverhay Sports Centre will be offered alternative booking options across the leisure centre network. This initiative is aimed at minimising disruption and maintaining community sports engagements.
Culverhay Sports Centre will close on Saturday 28 June so enabling works can begin on the site.
Note from Harry Mottram: Culverhay School was built in 1956 as Westhill Boys’ school which evolved from the former West Twerton School as a Secondary Modern School and changed its name to Culverhay School in 1971 after the City of Bath changed the system from grammar schools and secondary modern schools from the age of 11 based on academic tests such as the 11+ exam to the comprehensive system. It became a mixed sex school in 2012 when it was rebranded as the Bath Community Academy which closed in 2018. Since then a number of ideas have been put forward including an adult education college – but now it appears the classic 1950s buildings with various additions will be flattened to make way for a school fit for the 21st century. Thousands of Bathonians will have mixed feelings about the plan as they will have many memories of their time at the school.
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