By Martin Brisland.
The Sports Centre was dubbed Southampton’s “Happy Valley” when created. It was formally opened on 28th May 1938, following a 10-year campaign, by Alderman Sidney Kimber (1873-1949). He was first elected as a Conservative Councillor in 1910 and was Mayor of Southampton from 1918 to 1920. Sir Sidney’s autobiography “Thirty-eight years of Public Life in Southampton” gives a detailed account of the story. His family owned the Highfield brickworks that is now part of the campus of the University of Southampton.
Kimber was also responsible for promoting the building of the Civic Centre complex (including the Guildhall, Art Gallery, Library and former Law Courts) and for facilitating the development of large areas of social housing in Bassett and Swaythling known as the Flower Roads Estates. Kimber’s initial aim was to provide complementary sporting facilities on both sides of the River Itchen.
Kimber first approached the Council in September 1930, with the scheme to provide “a large public sports park, comprising facilities for playing golf, cricket, football, tennis, bowls, etc.” The estimated cost of the 294 acre development was £100,000. Kimber’s vision for the site is clear from his words to the Council: “this site is for the perpetual use and enjoyment of all ages and both sexes of our townspeople.”
He further added, “I can picture that area of land converted into a vast civic sports centre where many hundreds of girls and boys, men and women, from childhood to old age, can indulge in all forms of outdoor games under picturesque surroundings, easily accessible by buses at prices that would inflict no hardship. It will bring health and enjoyment and new interests into their lives”.
The proposal was rejected, the main sticking points being expense, the lack of housing and that “golf was
unnecessary”. In 1933, Kimber re-approached council with a revised scheme. This time the proposal was carried by 42 to 13 votes. The revision consisted of 273 acres west of the Avenue and with similarly visionary zeal said:
unnecessary”. In 1933, Kimber re-approached council with a revised scheme. This time the proposal was carried by 42 to 13 votes. The revision consisted of 273 acres west of the Avenue and with similarly visionary zeal said:
“I wish you to create for the present and future generations an outdoor sports and recreation centre under one management and control, large, central, compact, beautifully situated for the use of young and old, robust and frail, rich and poor, of all known outdoor games, to promote health, enjoyment and happiness to untold numbers.”
The Ministry of Health was approached for a loan and £45,000 was provided to purchase the 250 acres of Fleming Estate land. Plans were then developed by the Borough Engineer’s Assistant for drainage of the entire site and remodelling of the area to create level terraces on which to create the pitches. The tender for construction of the Golf Course was awarded to Messrs. Hawtree and Taylor at a cost of £6,685.
A further £7,000 was allocated for initial levelling and shrub clearance at the outdoor sports centre, largely using a workforce of local unemployed people. This caused some controversy as they were paid in vouchers to be spent in local shops. Britain was in a severe economic depression following the Wall street Crash of 1929.
Work on the Outdoor Sports Centre commenced in November 1934, with the main works contract awarded to Messrs. H. Osman & Co. Ltd. (£41,575).
The Municipal Golf Course opened with an exhibition match on Friday, September 6th,1935, and opened for general play on the following day, with Kimber and the Mayor teeing off.
Work on the Outdoor Sports Centre continued into early 1938 and the entire site (which Kimber referred to as the “Happy Valley”) was formally opened on 28th May 1938 by H.R.H. The Duke of Kent.
The Golf Course and Outdoor Sports Centre proved an instant success. Kimber’s vision for a complementary site in the east of the city never came to fruition. The 200 acre site at Harefield was partly sold for council house building.
Kimber’s own words about the Sports Centre still hold true: “The whole scheme is unique because of two outstanding features. First, that it includes, in one compact and extensive area, opportunities for recreation for young and old and facilities for every kind of outdoor sport; and, secondly, because of its delightful, picturesque situation, a most beautiful setting, isolated from buildings and highways and lying in a natural valley completely surrounded by trees, providing a perpetual source of health-giving enjoyment for all and a priceless possession for the years to come.”
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