Riverside Community Sports Hall & Wellbeing Hub

A community-led investment in health, wellbeing and opportunity

Riverside Primary School plays a long‑standing role as a trusted community anchor in South Wye, supporting not only children’s education but also the health, wellbeing and resilience of local families. The Riverside Community Sports Hall project has emerged directly from this work and responds to clearly identified community need.

The new sports hall is being developed as a shared community asset, designed to support pupils during the school day and provide accessible, safe space for families, community groups and local partners beyond the school day. It will enable a wide range of preventative, early‑help and wellbeing activity to take place in an area where access to facilities and support is limited.

This project is not simply about improving school facilities; it is about strengthening community infrastructure so that children, families and residents can thrive.

The project has received planning approval and is now progressing through its final pre‑construction stages. Once complete, the four‑court sports hall will offer flexible, inclusive space to support physical activity, family engagement, community programmes and local partnerships across South Wye.

Project overview

The Riverside Community Sports Hall has been carefully designed to address the limitations of the school’s existing hall and to respond to increasing pressure on space caused by growing demand for education, childcare, health and community support.

The new facility will:

• Enhance the delivery of high‑quality physical education for all pupils
• Enable a wider programme of extra‑curricular and competitive sport
• Provide a safe and secure base for wraparound care and holiday provision
• Ensure every year group has appropriate space for lunchtimes
• Relieve pressure on the school timetable by allowing PE lessons to run continuously
• Offer a self‑contained, venue for community support programmes, sport, health and wellbeing activity

The sports hall builds on existing community support delivered by the school and its partners, enabling this work to continue in a sustainable and scalable way.

Looking ahead

Once completed, the Riverside Community Sports Hall will become a valuable, long‑term asset for pupils and the South Wye community, supporting:

• Curriculum PE and physical development
• After‑school clubs and holiday activities
• Community sport, fitness and wellbeing initiatives

Further details about opening arrangements and community use will be shared as the project moves towards construction and completion.

Current status and next steps

The project has moved beyond the design and planning stage and is progressing through the final pre‑construction phase.

Current status:

• Planning permission approved
• Final site investigations underway
• RIBA Stage 4 technical design in progress
• Planning conditions being discharged
• Preparation of pre‑tender documentation

Next key milestones:

• Funding applications submitted: Summer 2026
• Tender process scheduled to begin: October 2027
• Anticipated construction start: Spring 2027

This page will be updated as each milestone is reached.

What this means for pupils and the school

As construction has not yet started on site, school operations currently continue as normal.

Ahead of the build phase:

• Detailed plans are being developed to minimise disruption to learning and daily routines
• Safeguarding, site security and health & safety arrangements are being carefully considered
• Temporary arrangements will be put in place where required once construction begins

Parents and carers will be kept informed well in advance of any changes that may affect the school day.

Why this project matters to the people of South Wye

Riverside Primary School serves as a trusted and consistent presence within the South Wye community, supporting children and families well beyond the school day. Located in an area facing high levels of social and economic deprivation, the school works closely with families experiencing a range of challenges that affect health, wellbeing, stability and access to opportunity.

This work has developed over many years in response to local need and is delivered in partnership with families, public services and community organisations. The Community Sports Hall project has emerged directly from this context, responding to the increasing demand for safe, accessible space to support preventative, early‑help and wellbeing activity.

The Community Sports Hall is not solely a response to current pressures; it is a long‑term investment in the resilience of the South Wye community. This project is rooted in a clear understanding of

• Increased access to physical activity
• Early‑help and wellbeing services
• Family engagement and learning
• Partnership delivery with health, voluntary and public sector organisations

…the facility supports improved outcomes across health, education and community wellbeing.

This project recognises that strong communities support strong children, and that early investment in accessible community infrastructure delivers lasting value.

Learn more about the needs this project responds to and why it matters to the people of South Wye.

Community use and access

 The Riverside Community Sports Hall is intended to serve families, residents and community groups across South Wye. Community benefit, accessibility and fairness are built into how the facility will operate.

Find out how the sports hall will be used by the community

 Funding

The Riverside Community Sports Hall project is currently being developed alongside an active funding programme. The school and its partners are in discussion with several major funders to secure the investment required to deliver the project.

Funding efforts are aligned with local, regional and national priorities across health, education, wellbeing and community safety, recognising the preventative and long‑term value of the facility.

Community considerations

We are committed to working considerately with our neighbours and the wider community throughout the project.

Before construction begins, clear information will be shared regarding:

• Working hours
• Site access and deliveries
• Measures to reduce noise and disruption

Any community queries can be directed to the school office.

Project timeline

 Early development and feasibility (2019–2020)

Project partners

The project is being developed in collaboration with:

• School governors and local authority partners
• Quattro Architects
• Community representatives, including Cllr Kevin Tillett and MP Jesse Norman

This collaborative approach helps ensure the facility meets both educational priorities and wider community need.

Find out more

For enquiries about the project and to get involved please contact:

• Gill Grey – Project Lead
• Stephanie Hinksman – Business Manager

📞 01432 274653

or email the school: admin@riverside.hereford.sch.uk