COMMUNITY sports facilities used by thousands of people every week at Chapel Gate could be sold to Bournemouth University.

The university is in negotiation with current owners The Bournemouth and District Recreational Charity with regard to buying the freehold of the site, near Bournemouth Airport.

Facilities at the 65-acre Chapel Gate have been used by Bournemouth Rugby Club, Bournemouth Cricket Club and Bournemouth Hockey Club for many years as part of Bournemouth Sports Club.

Other sports including football, archery, squash and table tennis are played there every week.

The site is also used for numerous community and commercial events including the hugely popular Bournemouth Sevens event and family occasions such as bonfire and Halloween events.

Numerous social events are held in the large clubhouse, which has three separate bars.

Talks are still under way as to the future of the site and gthe timescale of the proposed sale has not been revealed.

A spokesman for Bournemouth University said: “Bournemouth University (BU) and The Bournemouth & District Recreational Charity (BDRC), owners of Bournemouth Sports Club, are engaged in a period of negotiation for BU to purchase the freehold of the Chapel Gate site near Bournemouth Airport. These negotiations are ongoing.

“BU has been a key user of the Chapel Gate site for several years, alongside the sporting sections and community clubs that use the facility. We have a track record of supporting local sport and developing community sport in the region which BU will continue once the negotiations are finalised to ensure the site remains an active sports facility.”

Bournemouth University is continuing to expand across the conurbation and offers degrees in several sporting areas including Sports Management, Sports Therapy and Sports Psychology and Coaching Sciences.