Welcome to Jurby Sport & Leisure Ltd
Agreement for the Sporting Management of Jurby Airfield extended for 12 months The Department of Infrastructure has agreed to extend the existing agreement with Jurby Sports and Leisure Limited to manage the sporting and leisure use of Jurby Airfield for a further twelve months. The Department advertised the Sporting Management to be effective from the 1st March 2011 and as a result of which it received a number of interesting bid proposals, the most appropriate at the moment being that submitted by Jurby Sports and Leisure Limited who has managed the facility at Jurby for the previous three years. Whilst the other bids were not successful there were aspects of the other offers that the Department felt were worth consideration with the aim of expanding further the sporting and leisure use made of the former Airfield facility. The Department will seeking to try and facilitate the increased use of Jurby Airfield to compliment the established and popular existing uses which have developed over the years. The former airfield infrastructure at Jurby is reaching the point where it will need significant investment to maintain its availability. Wider use of the former airfield will help generate the income necessary to allow reinvestment in the maintenance of the former runway and taxiway surfaces to maintain their availability for use. Department of Infrastructure Political member with responsibilities for Properties Tim Crookall MHK said “By extending the agreement for twelve months with the existing established operator the opportunity exists to look at ways in which the range of activities undertaken at Jurby can be successfully expanded without prejudicing the established users. I feel that Jurby Airfield has further potential for increased sporting and leisure use and by entering into open dialogue with all of the interested parties and if all parties work together we may be able to achieve this. It is intended to hold a multi party meeting to try and facilitate discussions and dialogue between all of the interested parties who submitted bids to see if some of the other ideas in contained in the unsuccessful bids can be safely incorporated into the operations on the Airfield. “ Details of events on the former Airfield are available on the Jurby Sports and Leisure Limited website www.jurby.org. Jurby Sports and Leisure Limited is a consortium of the traditional users of Jurby and includes Andreas Racing Association, Duke Track Days, the Isle of Man Kart Racing Association, Manx Kite Flyers and Manx Model Flyers.
Jurby Sports & Leisure Ltd has aim has been to operate sporting events at the airfield. The DoI licence entrusts JSL with keeping the airfield safe, secure and suitable for leisure and other users.
JSL is a consortium of existing Jurby Airfield users who have come together to ensure the future of the under-utilised site. The consortium includes Andreas Racing Association, Duke Track Days, the Isle of Man Kart Racing Association, Manx Kite Flyers and Manx Model Flyers.
Basic hire of Jurby Motodrome during 2011 costs only £1,000 for a half day or £1,500 for a full day hire. There's no VAT to pay but you'll have to provide your own Public Liability Insurance with £5m cover and pay a £500 returnable ‘damage’ deposit. We are likely to be booked up for TT and MGP fortnights but otherwise have several prime weekend dates available
If you want a full ‘track day’ organised with insurance and marshalling, then Duke Track Days Ltd. will assist at a cost starting at only £2,500 for a half day event (inc VAT).
The 220-acre Jurby Motodrome was a WW2 airfield and now has two 1.7 & 1.8 mile tarmac circuits which are 7m or wider. Some parts are new tarmac whereas the main runways and some perimeter tracks are older tarmac. The cross-runway area (near to the new IoM Prison!!) has a massive tarmac parking area for both paddock and spectators - see the attached photos. The old control tower adjacent to the pit lane has toilets and power and there are extra toilet facilities next to the cross-runway. You can see the available dates in 2011 at the calendar.
In addition to those activities, JSL will continue to support the interests of other Jurby Airfield users, including the Manx Auto Sport, Manx Motor Cycle Club, Druidale Motor Club, Manx Motor Racing Club, Fire and Police Services and various Government Departments.
Under this new arrangement, the airfield will become more accessible for all users during the week and at weekends. Improved management of the site and better facilities will allow expanded use by a wide range of sporting and other interest groups from within the Island and beyond.
For instance, Duke Track Days, a subsidiary of Duke Marketing, will use its contacts to encourage the use of any spare dates for events such as product launches, UK car and bike club days and other new activities.
All users will have to pay fees to cover operating costs and assist with maintenance work. The fees charged to existing users will be discounted while other users will be charged a commercial rate. JSL will co-coordinate all activities and, where possible, the sharing of equipment and facilities.
Among the proposed improvements are upgrades for the toilets, parking, camping, pathways and provision of an on-site office and reception centre.
Off-road riding and driving is also expected to receive a boost with plans for new training facilities in the pipeline.
However, one of JSL’s major projects will be to play its part in helping the Island’s new drivers improve their skills through tuition and experience in a safe environment. As the Young Drivers Day held in May as part of Motorfest08 shows, Jurby Airfield is uniquely suited to this type of training.
Every year more than 800 people pass their driving test and earn their R plates. They are then free to travel off-Island, where they will encounter driving conditions, such as motorways, which they have received no training for. Considerable support has already been expressed by organisations involved in promoting road safety and driving schools for the setting up of such a new facility.
A leading local insurer has already promised discounts to drivers who take a course similar to the UK’s ‘Pass Plus’. Training for driving on motorways, at night or at ‘open road’ speeds is not currently available to local ‘R’ plate drivers.
