British Land pushes sport for cities

Physical activity contributes £39bn to the UK economy every year*, half of which comes from people’s involvement in grassroots sport. Sport for England has highlighted two ways in which sport at the community level boosts the economy – directly, through job creation, and indirectly, by reducing healthcare costs thanks to a healthier population. Every £1 spent on sport and physical activity generates almost £4 in return across health and wellbeing, stronger communities and the economy.**

With the huge economic and social value of sport in mind, British Land has joined forces with Art-Invest Real Estate (ArtInvest), Ryder Architecture and Future Places Studio, to unveil the first half of ‘Sport and the City’, a report setting out fresh thinking aimed at making sport more accessible and creating social value in urban spaces and communities.

Sport and the City presents an innovative plan for cities to improve their approach to incorporating sport into the everyday, to establish its positive impact in an area beyond health and wellbeing.

It proposes four principles of a place-based approach to providing everyday sport:

• sport should be at the heart of placemaking as we design new urban spaces

• urban sports facilities and clubs should reflect diverse populations and be designed with the effects of climate change in mind

• urban spaces should pioneer creative approaches to integrating sport and physical activity into the everyday

• sports facilities of all shapes and sizes should function as wellbeing anchors in a local urban design that’s inclusive, walkable, connected and green.

* www.gov.uk/government/speeches/the-business-of-sport

** Measuring the Social and Economic Impact of Sport in England, 2020

Here at Canada Water, those four principles are already being put into practice thanks to the dedicated work of some of the sports organisations British Land are proud to support:

At Surrey Quays Shopping Centre, two wallball courts offer a free-to-use sports facility. Wallball is a game based on the simple concept of hitting a ball against a wall with your hands – a bit like squash without a racquet. British Land has teamed up with UK Wallball to launch the outdoor wallball venue at Canada Water. Players can bring their own ball, or buy one for £2 from an onsite vending machine.

The Arch is a 7,000 sq ft bouldering venue inside the shopping centre. The space offers a bold new vision for indoor bouldering, and a range of walls cater to all levels of ability. Sessions start from £5, while regular family days are available for the whole community and free improver sessions are available to join most days.

Roosters of Rotherhithe is a boxing club that runs youth and adult sessions throughout the week. British Land supported October’s half-term club, plus a trip to the Rumble in the Jungle experience at Dock X in Canada Water.

Ballers Academy is an award-winning, fun-filled independent sports organisation. British Land sponsors their Canada Water FC under-14 team so no player misses out because they can’t afford to pay.

Fisher FC is Rotherhithe’s fan-run football club. They play at the St Paul’s ground in the Southern Counties East League Premier Division.

The new Canada Water Leisure Centre is expected to open its doors in early 2025, with an 8-lane swimming pool, learner pool, 150+ station gym, sports hall and dance studios. The leisure centre will host a wide range of activities for people who live and spend time in the area, to help local people live active and healthy lives.