Oxford’s Bury Knowle Pavilion transformed into a vibrant community hub following major refurbishment

ODS and Courtside are thrilled to announce the successful completion of a major refurbishment project at the Bury Knowle Pavilion, marking a new era of leisure and community engagement in Oxford. The project has transformed the old tennis pavilion into a vibrant community hub, enhancing the local area with new amenities and activities.

This refurbishment is part of a broader £600k investment in the site, stemming from a 15-year agreement between Courtside and Oxford City Council. Courtside’s innovative operating model focuses on increasing physical and social activity by revitalising under-utilised public buildings in local parks.

The Bury Knowle improvements bring:

• A new café space for socialising and relaxing

• A multi-use games area suitable for sports and community events

• New mini-golf and shuffleboard facilities for fun leisure activities

• Modernised facilities, while still preserving the Pavilion’s historic charm

The newly revamped Bury Knowle Pavilion now features an attractive café space adjacent to the tennis courts, alongside enhanced leisure activities such as a multi-use games area, mini-golf, and shuffleboard. This transformation creates inviting public spaces for families, youth groups and local residents to gather and participate in both social and sporting activities.

The complete overhaul of the Bury Knowle Pavilion involved gutting, extending, and modernising the old timber-framed structure to accommodate the new café, which now serves as a central gathering spot for visitors. Despite the building’s dilapidated state and strict planning restrictions that prevented its demolition, the refurbishment has preserved its historical essence while introducing modern amenities for the enjoyment of visitors and residents of Headington.

Mitchell Carter, Associate Director of Construction at ODS said "We are thrilled to see the transformation of Bury Knowle Pavilion into a welcoming and vibrant community hub. This project showcases our commitment to enhancing community facilities while preserving the historical and environmental integrity of our beloved sites."

Jeff Hunter, CEO of Courtside, said: “We are thrilled to have opened our doors. Now complete, these exciting new facilities will help realise our mission of bringing people together and encouraging them to be active, serving as a base for connecting the community and encouraging physical and social well-being, while protecting Bury Knowle Park as a place of rest and recreation for future generations.”

Chewe Munkonge, Cabinet Member for A Healthy Oxford at Oxford City Council said:
"These brilliant new facilities in Bury Knowle Park represent a significant investment in the well-being of our community. This new, inviting space builds on the Council’s work to encourage physical activity and social interaction, helping to foster a healthier, more connected Oxford. We are committed to ensuring that everyone in Oxford has access to high-quality recreational facilities, and I am excited to see how residents will benefit from this new community hub."