Club faces big

roof repair bill

A multi-sports centre in Nailsea faces a huge repair bill for its roof which could cost more than £60,000 to replace.

But without a new roof Mizzymead Recreation Centre fear leaking rainwater would ruin a new £25,000 carpet due to go down in the indoor bowls rink this September.

Paying these bills would take most of its budget for the year.

It has already had a big shake-up in its finances making drastic cuts to staffing and bar rotas.

MRC chairman Steve Curry and treasurer Chris Waller made a presentation to Nailsea Town Council outlining the problems and asking for financial help.

He said: “We aren’t asking for the whole amount and would be happy with a grant towards the costs.

“The roof has come to the end of its economic life and needs replacing not ongoing repairs as it could fail at some point in the near future.”

But grant applications to the town council is a formal procedure started in September and not paid out until the following January or February.

Built on land donated by the Wyatt farming family MRC was opened in 1968 and is a registered charity.

It currently has approximately 650 members who belong to the indoor and outdoor bowls, tennis, snooker and bridge clubs.

On top of that it hosts active classes for ballroom and line-dancing as well as slimming, keep-kit and yoga sessions while Nailsea Musicals and the Rotary Club of Nailsea & Backwell use it as a base.

And as if that wasn’t enough it has hobby groups for stamp collectors, a pre-school and a dementia support memory club.

Mr Curry said: “Pre-Covid MRC was in a precarious financial state and on the verge of closing.

“We now have a five-year plan to stabilise our accounts.”

It is anxious to attract a younger membership and to this aim has been holding coaching and taster sessions.

And he admitted of late they had held more 'wakes' than coming-of-age parties in its large function room.

Mr Curry said: “We have one of only two pool tables in Nailsea, the floodlit tennis courts have been resurfaced and are probably the best in North Somerset.

“The membership of the indoor bowls which attracts people from Nailsea and neighbouring towns and villages is thriving and more than any other sport at MRC and it vital to the survival of Mizzymead."

Councillors Ben Kushner and James Steel meet with Mr Curry at Mizzymead on Monday, June 27, to see the state of the roof for themselves and together with club representatives are due to report back to Nailsea Town Council finance committee on Wednesday, July 6, 7.30pm at the Tithe Barn about possible help with funding towards the refurbishment of the roof.

UPDATE: After going through its finances it became apparent that Mizzymead is doing well, with around £220,000 in reserves. The proposed works have been costed at £50,000 which meant that the reserves were strong enough to cover. The club therefore withdrawn its town council grant request.

Nailsea Town Council is going ahead installing timed floodlights at the skatepark.

Four specially designed directional LED sports lights are going up at Nailsea Skate Park later this summer.

This project has the support of local police and Avon and Somerset Police Community Trust has given a £1,000 grant towards the costs.

The groundworks for the installations have already begun at Millennium Park.

The lighting will be on timers from dusk until 8pm to enable use of the park for after school and early evening sessions when the nights draw in.

Disruption during installation should be at a minimum and the skate park will stay open for use.

Nailsea Skatefest director Phil Williams said: “Getting floodlights fitted at the skate park is a fantastic idea.”

“A massive thank you to not only Nailsea Town Council but also the police and public for supporting this initiative.

“We need to make sure that behaviour of park users during these extra hours as well as during normal daylight hours show the community how much we appreciate this new floodlight initiative.”

Nailsea Town Council has already installed CCTV in the area to monitor any anti-social behaviour.

The 20th annual Nailsea Community Skate Fest was postponed for a month from mid-June as severe weather was forecast.

Although Bristol city centre experienced heavy downpours it remained dry in Nailsea despite ominous storm clouds.

Everyone is looking forward to the re-arranged date on Saturday, July 16, 1-5pm.

Spectators are welcome at the event which includes skateboard, scooter and BMX competitions, stalls, activities, music, compere and refreshments.