Plans have been approved for a new children’s activity centre at Prospect Park, including minigolf, a cafe, and archery.

The plans from the council aim to address the lack of a significant outdoor activity centre in Reading such as Wokingham’s Dinton Pastures or Bracknell’s Go Ape.

Reading Borough Council (RBC) says these sites encourage physical activity and bring wellbeing benefits and the town.

READ MORE: New Dinton Activity Centre reaches ‘major milestone’ in building progress

Councillor Karen Rowland, lead member for culture, heritage and recreation, said the plans including “many new and exciting options” for the town.

She said it will support young and vulnerable people and also supports climate strategy “with the creative regeneration of buildings” and the charge will be “modest”.

The charges planned are:

  • Ropes Adventure area – £4.00
  • Family Adventure Golf – £4.00 with family/group tickets available for two rounds of a 9-hole course
  • Climbing educational area – £4.00
How the rope course could look

How the rope course could look

Councillor Graeme Hoskin, lead member for Health, Sport and Wellbeing, said the plans can help the park become a hub of activity and more friendly environment.

The proposal includes:

  • Skytrail ropes course
  • Family minigolf with wheelchair access
  • Outdoor enclosed education zone including archery, portable climbing wall and team building activities
  • Café
  • Multi-function indoor space for parties and meetings.
Prospect Park outdoor activity centre plans

Prospect Park outdoor activity centre plans

Cllr Hoskin said the park – “already fantastic and the best in the town” – has been “crying out for a café”.

And Conservative councillor Jane Stanford-Beale said the plan would be “something fantastic on the doorstep”.

Disused garages would be converted into ropes and a climbing wall, offices would become a café and classroom and open space to the front of the building would be converted into a 9-hole family mini golf course.

The yard space behind the pavilion would be used as an outdoor activity area including play equipment and also for company or team building days.

The plans also include accessible activities catering for a range of physical abilities, as well as further developing established support services for vulnerable and disadvantaged young people and children.

Plans are also underway to spend almost £250,000 to ‘urgently’ replace the playground in Prospect Park.

READ MORE: ‘Urgent’ playground replacement works costing almost £250k approved in Tilehurst

Timescale for the plans

The council hopes to submit a planning application by April, get approval in early summer and complete works in November.

However, the Prospect Park pavilion is currently being used as a walk-through testing station with an initial contract of three months.

If the testing station remains in place beyond July, the timescale may be reviewed or delayed.

The plans will be funded through £566,000 section 106 and CIL funding, planning levies on developers.