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A Centenary Campaign to Secure a Historic Sports Venue
A local charity, known for its long-standing commitment to sports and community engagement, has launched an urgent campaign to purchase the historic venue it has used for over a century. The York Railway Institute (RI) is currently operating under a lease that will expire in 2027. However, the property’s owner, Network Rail, has offered the organization the opportunity to buy the site.
The charity aims to raise £100,000 in its centenary year to ensure the building remains a vital part of the community. This initiative comes at a critical time, as the future of the venue hangs in the balance. Mike Poulter, a coach with the York RI Juniors badminton team, emphasized the importance of this effort: “Owning the sports centre would give people an opportunity to be part of our future, as well as our past.” He added, “There must be hundreds, if not thousands, of people in and around York who have played sport at the RI.”
A Legacy of Community and Sport
Established in the 19th century, the York Railway Institute was originally created as a space for railway workers to enhance their education. It featured a library, classrooms, and a dining hall. By 1926, the nearby locomotive erecting shops and carriage works were transformed into a gymnasium, complete with a boxing ring that later became badminton courts.
Today, the Institute continues to host national-level badminton tournaments, alongside activities such as pickleball, squash, and judo. Trustee Heather Robertson highlighted the significance of this moment: “It’s fitting that the chance to buy the ‘much-loved’ venue coincides with the centre’s upcoming 100th anniversary.” She noted that due to ongoing developments around the station and the York Central project, the Institute has felt like it’s on borrowed time. “We’ve had really good support from Network Rail, especially since the pandemic, but the time has run out on that lease arrangement,” she said.
A Threat to Community Activities
If the charity fails to raise the necessary funds, it could jeopardize the clubs that rely on the facility. Many of these groups compete under the York RI name. “If this did disappear, you’d hope those clubs would survive and find a different venue, but that seems like a difficult thing to do,” Robertson explained. “It’s not just about picking a different sports centre—there’s nothing like it in terms of location and what it offers as a venue.”
Dermot Heslop, a judo coach and treasurer for the York RI, shared his personal connection to the venue. His family has been involved with the Institute since the 1940s, when they worked on the railways. “If we can buy the building, it gives me an opportunity to say thank you to the Railway Institute for everything it’s done for me as an individual,” he said. “When you think of the demographic in York, there are people in their 80s who are playing here and children under the age of five. We have nationalities from all over the world that come to the venue.”
Support from Network Rail
Network Rail has expressed its support for the York RI’s efforts. A spokesperson stated, “We’re delighted to support the long-term future of the York RI. Our teams have been working collaboratively with York RI to secure this historical building’s future as a community sports facility. This partnership reflects our commitment to supporting local communities while preserving railway heritage, and forms part of our broader Queen Street estate plans.”
Fundraising Efforts and Community Spirit
York RI has planned a series of fundraising events leading up to 2027, starting with a 24-hour “badminton-athon” on 2 August. Isobel Avey, a supervisor at the center, highlighted the strong sense of community among the teams using the space. “There’s a massive emphasis on community among the teams that use the space,” she said. “I’m excited to see how everyone is rallying around this cause. It’s a reflection of how much people love the place and want to keep it open. It would be such a shame for it to go—it would be so upsetting.”
The campaign represents more than just a financial goal; it symbolizes the deep-rooted connection between the York Railway Institute and the people of York. As the community unites to protect this historic venue, the future of the Institute remains a priority for all who value its legacy.
