The Charitable Trusts have ruled out an idea for a new all-weather pitch to go on the site of the multi-use games area in lower Fitz Park, Keswick.
An approach to consider moving the MUGA to create space for a 3G facility was made to the trusts by Keswick Football Club.
It follows the growing number of sporting fixtures being lost or rearranged to the weather.
An alternative suggestion of potentially housing a future 3G facility on Archery Field, an area behind the cricket pavilion and next to the BMX track, is now being considered as a possible alternative site.
It is favoured as it would be on raised ground and protected from any flooding in Fitz Park.
Trustees felt that with the multi-use games area (MUGA) being provided by a grant from Sport England for the use by all, and being prone to standing water, it would not be an appropriate site for an expensive all-weather area.
Duncan Miller, chairman of the Fitz Park, Hope Park and Townsfield Charitable Trust, said trustees are “sympathetic and receptive” to an all-weather facility in Keswick, although the future of funding of such is far from certain at this stage.
He said the ‘well used’ community sports area needed to remain freely accessible and that issues around flooding of 3G pitches and the potential for causing light pollution, would also stand in the way of any such scheme winning planning permission.
Mr Miller emphasised that the “possibility” of Archery Field being a site “could be” an option going forward, but the football club planned to go away and discuss the next steps, and what, if any link-up might be possible between them, Keswick School or Keswick Rugby Club.
Mr Miller believes it would be highly unlikely that a single all-weather pitch would be suitable for all, including hockey, and that it could be that two would be required in order to satisfy as many sports as possible.
A further report into progress is expected to go back to a meeting of the trusts in May.
