The price hikes are off the table and the playing fields will remain accessible for our kids. It was a long fight and I am truly drained but I appreciate everyone who stayed in the race with me. Let's keep paying attention to how these facilities are managed so this …
June 15, 2016
Final supporters
Currently Bath City Youth FC provide "not for profit" football coaching and matches for approximately 350 boys and girls from aged 5 through to aged 18. The majority of training and matches takes place at Odd Down Playing Fields. This facility is managed under contract on behalf of the council by GLL, which is also a "not for profit" organisation. We have just been informed that with effect from next season, the grass pitches and 3G training venue will be increasing in price by 40-50%. This price increase will increase our expenditure by approximately £3000 and this cost will have to be passed on to the parents.
Additionally, 2 x available concessionary clubs have been nominated by the Somerset FA that give these clubs an unfair advantage over all other clubs wishing to use the facility. Concessionary rates are 20-25% lower than what all others will have to pay and surely that just can't be fair? It is our view that rates should be on a level par for all wishing to use the excellent facility and any increase in hire costs should be in line with inflation and not subject to large price increases just because the facility as a whole is losing money. Surely sport should be affordable and equally available to everybody.
If you think this is wrong and the concessionary rates should be available to all chartered status clubs and charities and that price increases should be kept to a level in line with inflation, then please sign this petition as we are keen to contest this decision and need the backing of club members to have a chance of making the council listen.
Many thanks for your time and support for this worthy cause.
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
May 24, 2016
May 22, 2016
Reaching this point in our campaign has been draining but your energy keeps me going. It is clear that the unfairness of these price hikes resonates with many more people than I first anticipated.
Reached 100 supporters
May 21, 2016
242 Comments
This seems to fly in the face of making sport accessible to all. We have extremely poor provision of good facilities in Bath and allowing concessions to 2 clubs is unfair - what was the criteria and why were other clubs not invited to bid/be afforded such concessions.
This is incredibly disappointing if tesco put their prices up 40% or more they would not have any customers. It sounds like GLL have paid far too much for their contract and are desperately trying to exploit a captive audience.
Surely a community sports hub should be available for all organisations to use at a fair cost. Price hikes to increase profitability for private operators of the site go against the whole point of having the facility there for the community to use.
Increasing usage outside core times might be a better way to increase revenue from the facility, and is an avenue that has not been explored sufficiently. Charging more to already cash strapped clubs will have a negative overall effect.
It is criminal to penalise a not for profit organisation and limit sport opportunities to those who have money in Bath. This is disgusting and will kill grass roots football in Bath. Will someone step forward and support those who need it and not those who can afford it.
Fair prices for all!!
This project was set up for use by the local community....... Or so we thought!!!!!
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The price hikes are off the table and the playing fields will remain accessible for our kids. It was a long fight and I am truly drained but I appreciate everyone who stayed in the race with me. Let's keep paying attention to how these facilities are managed so this …
June 15, 2016
Final supporters
Currently Bath City Youth FC provide "not for profit" football coaching and matches for approximately 350 boys and girls from aged 5 through to aged 18. The majority of training and matches takes place at Odd Down Playing Fields. This facility is managed under contract on behalf of the council by GLL, which is also a "not for profit" organisation. We have just been informed that with effect from next season, the grass pitches and 3G training venue will be increasing in price by 40-50%. This price increase will increase our expenditure by approximately £3000 and this cost will have to be passed on to the parents.
Additionally, 2 x available concessionary clubs have been nominated by the Somerset FA that give these clubs an unfair advantage over all other clubs wishing to use the facility. Concessionary rates are 20-25% lower than what all others will have to pay and surely that just can't be fair? It is our view that rates should be on a level par for all wishing to use the excellent facility and any increase in hire costs should be in line with inflation and not subject to large price increases just because the facility as a whole is losing money. Surely sport should be affordable and equally available to everybody.
If you think this is wrong and the concessionary rates should be available to all chartered status clubs and charities and that price increases should be kept to a level in line with inflation, then please sign this petition as we are keen to contest this decision and need the backing of club members to have a chance of making the council listen.
Many thanks for your time and support for this worthy cause.
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
May 24, 2016
May 22, 2016
Reaching this point in our campaign has been draining but your energy keeps me going. It is clear that the unfairness of these price hikes resonates with many more people than I first anticipated.
Reached 100 supporters
May 21, 2016
242 Comments
My son has had such a fulfilling year being coached by BWB and it would be a real awful shame if this was to be affected by these crazy price changes, you would be hurting the young boys who get so much out of this great organisation.
This seems to fly in the face of making sport accessible to all. We have extremely poor provision of good facilities in Bath and allowing concessions to 2 clubs is unfair - what was the criteria and why were other clubs not invited to bid/be afforded such concessions.
This is incredibly disappointing if tesco put their prices up 40% or more they would not have any customers. It sounds like GLL have paid far too much for their contract and are desperately trying to exploit a captive audience.
Surely a community sports hub should be available for all organisations to use at a fair cost. Price hikes to increase profitability for private operators of the site go against the whole point of having the facility there for the community to use.
Increasing usage outside core times might be a better way to increase revenue from the facility, and is an avenue that has not been explored sufficiently. Charging more to already cash strapped clubs will have a negative overall effect.
It is criminal to penalise a not for profit organisation and limit sport opportunities to those who have money in Bath. This is disgusting and will kill grass roots football in Bath. Will someone step forward and support those who need it and not those who can afford it.
Fair prices for all!!
This project was set up for use by the local community....... Or so we thought!!!!!
Share Petition
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My son has had such a fulfilling year being coached by BWB and it would be a real awful shame if this was to be affected by these crazy price changes, you would be hurting the young boys who get so much out of this great organisation.