Rooted in a petition originally launched by local residents, the Jackey Bakers Recreation Ground Multi-Sport Recreation and Play Hub is a community-driven proposal to ensure the site is developed to meet genuine local need.
The proposed £10.7 million project will include a modern pavilion featuring a community room and community café and changing rooms, a Changing Places toilet and changing facility, an inclusive play area, three floodlit 3G artificial pitches, upgraded grass pitches, covered tennis and padel courts and an athletics track.
The Jackey Bakers Hub is designed to tackle local health inequalities and social challenges through inclusive activity, sport, health services and youth outreach. The facility is proposed to open in November 2028, subject to approvals, planning consent and funding.
Tamara Campbell, representing the Community Stakeholder Advisory Group, Social Enterprise Kent and Thanet Girls Can, said: “The Jackey Bakers Recreation Ground has long been a vital open space for Ramsgate, but its outdated facilities have held back its potential for far too long. This project represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform the site into a modern, welcoming destination that every resident can be proud of.”
The project has established two dedicated bodies; the Strategic Steering Group and more recently, the Community Stakeholder Advisory Group. Local partners, community organisations, sports clubs and residents have worked together and the project has reached several key partnership proposals:
- Inclusion and accessibility: Organisations including East Kent Mencap, Inclusive Sport, Social Enterprise Kent and Thanet Girls Can, have established an Inclusion Charter and a Women and Girls Charter. These agreements promote equal access to sports facilities for women and girls, safeguarding protocols, and accessible facilities, including a Changing Places toilet. A year-round schedule of sports and social sessions will be offered, for people of all ages and abilities.
- Health and wellbeing Hub: Developed in collaboration with the Thanet Health Alliance, Kent County Council Public Health and local health teams, the proposed pavilion will feature a community room and café. This will provide a dedicated Hub for NHS drop-in health checks, mental health support, social groups, and mobility, strength and balance sessions for older residents. The aim is to help address health inequalities in the surrounding communities.
- Employment and youth: Partnerships with the Department for Work and Pensions and local youth providers (including Sport IQ, Infinity Tennis and local football clubs) are laying the groundwork for on-site job clubs, 16–25 youth skills training and evening youth programmes.
Detailed design work has now been completed, and includes the sports and community facilities that will have the greatest benefit for local people:
- Sports infrastructure: Three floodlit 3G artificial pitches, upgraded grass pitches, multi-use courts for tennis and padel and athletics track access.
- Community and play facilities: A modern pavilion containing a community room, café, Changing Places toilet and inclusive changing facility and Thanet’s flagship inclusive and accessible children’s play area.
Tamara Campbell continued: “What makes this project so special is that it is truly community-driven. From the local residents who first petitioned for change to the sports clubs, health providers, and accessibility advocates who have helped shape the designs, this hub is being built by Thanet, for Thanet. It isn’t just about football or tennis; it’s about creating a safe, inclusive space where people of all ages can improve their physical and mental health, meet friends, learn new skills, walk their dogs or simply enjoy a cup of coffee.
“As we move into this crucial decision-making phase, I strongly encourage local residents to look through the plans, attend our upcoming community drop-in and share their views on how this venue can best serve our area for decades to come.”
Prior to the submission of a full planning application, community partners will host a resident engagement session at the Northwood Club in Ramsgate, at 7pm on Thursday 12 November. Local people will have the opportunity to view updated designs and project timelines, and speak to the working groups about any questions they may have.
Further information about the Jackey Bakers Recreation Ground Multi-Sport, Recreation and Play Hub is available on the website.
