Batchwood Golf Course re-opened following arson attack

Batchwood Golf Course has re-opened following the arson attack that destroyed the main building at the Batchwood Golf and Tennis Centre in the early hours of Wednesday morning (10 August).

St Albans City and District Council and Leisure connection, who are contracted to run the leisure centre, met to discuss short term options for the future of the golf club and Batchwood Bowls Club. They also met with the coaching staff of the tennis centre, whose facilities were completely destroyed by the fire, to discuss short-term alternatives for both community and high performance tennis.

Meanwhile Harpers Gym users at Batchwood have received notification that they are able to use any Council-run gym in the District.

Councillor Mike Wakely, Portfolio Holder for Sports, Leisure and Heritage at St Albans City & District Council said:  "The Council has received many messages of support and of heartfelt concern.  We need to work with local people and our partners to consider options for the future, and the Council's new leadership team has asked officers to start work on this without delay.  I hope that in the end, despite the current problems, we will see something really good come out of this awful fire.  Lots of local people, especially those who used the centre extensively, are really very saddened by the destruction of Batchwood and I share that sense of upset."

"I would like to commend the help provided by the police and the fire services which has been first rate.  The work of Leisure Connection staff, and our own council officer team has also been brilliant – these are people who themselves are very personally upset and affected by the destruction at Batchwood.  Our friends at Batchwood Hall night club have also been fantastically supportive providing toilet and refreshment facilities and generally being very helpful to everyone involved in the aftermath of the fire. It's great to see people working together so effectively to get through this difficult time."

The former reception of Batchwood Golf course was completely destroyed in Wednesday's blaze and golfers should now go to the first tee for information and to pay green fees.