Knowsley Council is appointing a managing agent for Bowring Park to ensure its future sustainability and success.
Knowsley’s Cabinet has approved a recommendation to appoint Oneday, a company specialising in partnerships aimed at creating thriving public and private sector assets, to manage the historic Bowring Park and Golf Course in Huyton.
Oneday’s plans for Bowring Park will include:
- Maintaining the park and golf course with the ambition of attaining Green Flag standard in 2022
- Transforming the golf course facilities, including a new Clubhouse and other amenities
- Creating an improved leisure offer for all, including a café and playground
- Delivering a community engagement and events programme
- Working with local colleges and businesses to create access to learning and enterprise
- Other plans for the site include a visitor centre and the creation of a community garden, aquafarm, events space and educational facilities
Bowring Park has recently benefited from £3.7m of investment and restoration works. The appointment of Oneday will enable the completion of the major restoration projects on site.
Oneday will create a Community Interest Company responsible for the future management of the park. The company has been working closely with local community groups, including the Friends of Bowring Park and the women’s and men’s golf clubs, to ensure their plans are in tune with the needs and wishes of the current users of the park. The council will also launch a public consultation enabling residents and interested groups to have their say on the Masterplan proposals.
Cllr Shelley Powell, Knowsley Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods said: “We know how much our parks and open spaces matter to our communities and Bowring Park is a fantastic asset with the potential to attract visitors from across the City Region and beyond, whilst delivering real benefits for all parts of the local community.
“Oneday share our vision for the future of Bowring Park and have the commercial acumen, investment potential as well as the social and environmental credentials we need to run the park as a successful commercial venture and sustainable community asset.”
Oneday Director Matt Bell said: “We are excited to be leading the restoration of this great local asset in the coming months and years, bringing in the investment to ensure Bowring Park remains a focal point in the community for many years to come.
“We are looking forward to working with the local community to restore the park into a place that is not only a great golf and leisure destination but also somewhere where people can work, learn and socialise, in the process supporting local enterprise and creating jobs. Ultimately, we want to see the park as a hub of activity once again, a thriving leisure destination for Knowsley’s residents and visitors alike.”