Ceremony marks official opening of new River Park Pavilion
The new pavilion at River Park in Winchester has been celebrated at an official opening ceremony.
Representatives of community organisations joined city councillors, officers, and the design and build teams on Thursday 14 May for the official cutting of the ribbon by Mayor of Winchester Cllr Sudhakar Achwal.
Construction of the new facility began last year after Winchester City Council’s 2024 decision to approve the total investment of £2.3 million, including: capital funding from Winchester City Council; £1.5 million from district Community Infrastructure Levy; contributions from the Town Forum and The Pavilion Project; and grant funding from Hampshire County Council.
The new facility will be used for cricket and also for a wide range of community events and activities.
Councillor Kathleen Becker, Winchester City Council’s Cabinet Member for Healthy Communities, said:
“It is wonderful that this fantastic new district facility is fully open and ready for sporting action this summer - we have ended up with something very special for the Winchester district.
"It's part of something which really matters; the outdoors, sport, teamwork, physical activity and places for people to gather together for multiple purposes – all of this plays an absolutely essential role in mentally and physically healthy communities".
Mike Caldwell from The Pavilion Project said:
“It is really fitting that we are gathered here today in a building dedicated to team sport – the Pavilion Project was truly a team effort, with our trustees and an army of volunteers who stepped up when we needed them. To our many donors, thank you. This is what makes this building so special; it is truly a community building wholeheartedly supported by the community.
“River Park with its pavilion, spectacular new practice nets, and new artificial strip on pitch one offers one of the best community facilities in the district – and it is open and accessible to all. Anyone can play sport here; it is grassroots sport at its finest and it is sport on display to all who pass through this beautiful corner of Winchester.
“We look forward to seeing this beautiful new pavilion used to its full potential, not just for sport, but for other activities too including children’s parties, meetings, yoga, sessions, education and more.”
For further information on the pavilion or to make a booking, visit our Venue Hire web page or email naturalenvironment@winchester.gov.uk