Bournemouth University is currently in negotiations to buy Chapel Gate, a 65-acre sporting venue, situated in Christchurch, next to Bournemouth International Airport. Chapel Gate is one of the main playing venues for BU, including our sports teams which compete in the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) on Wednesday afternoons. Last year, BU achieved our highest ever position in the BUCS league table and were also one of only three nominated institutions for the 'Most Improved University of the Year'.
Chapel Gate also supports a range of local sports clubs and events, as well as being home to the biggest rugby 7s tournament in the world.
SportBU offers an active community programme, supporting local people through its kids camps, volunteering programmes and performance coaching courses. The purchase of Chapel Gate will allow us not only to provide existing and enhanced sporting facilities for our students and staff, but also to expand our support for community sporting programmes in the local area.
Jim Andrews, Chief Operating Officer at BU said: “BU and The Bournemouth & District Recreational Charity (BDRC), the current owners of Chapel Gate, are engaged in a period of negotiation for BU to purchase the freehold of the Chapel Gate site.
“BU has been a key user of the site for several years, alongside the sporting sections and community clubs that use the facility. We have a long tradition of supporting community sport, and this is central to our Chapel Gate bid. Any decisions we make will be with the aim of fostering a strong and positive sporting community across Dorset and we want to create long-term positive relationships with all sporting sections that currently use the site.”
