It’s been really satisfying to have followed a number of major capital projects we’ve worked on over the years. They’ve now started to come out of the ground and open to the community. Over £100 Million worth of schemes will open this year (not including the Olympic Park!).
The £30m Orford Park Project in Warrington is recognised as the epitomy of the modern community sport hub facility, combining commercial development on site (Decathlon) and integrating health, sport and leisure, education, culture and community facilities – all under one roof in Orford, a deprived but very proud ward of Warrington. Duncan Wood-Allum played a key role in the development and funding of the project from 2006 – 2009. Warrington have retained SLC as an adviser and Marcus Kingwell has recently supported them in developing their sport and physical activity strategy. Orford Park will be opening later this year – a fitting Legacy project in Olympic year!
The £44 Plymouth Life Centre is another iconic facility due to open in 2012. In 2007 / 2008 Duncan worked closely with Sport England and the Council to unlock £3 million funding to ensure the scheme could progress. We would like to congratulate Liz Slater at Plymouth City Council for being the Champion of this scheme from conception to delivery! The new facility will create the best leisure facilities in the south west and host a number of performance and community sports.
The £12 Million Harborne Pool and Fitness Centre opened recently to replace a much loved swimming pool on the same site. Duncan led the business planning and feasibility work which has now led to the delivery of the scheme which is now being operated by DC Leisure. The new site includes:
- 25 metre 6 lane swimming pool
- Learner Swimming Pool
- Community Room
- Group Fitness Studio
- Adult Fitness Suite
- Interactive Childrens’ Gym.
Finally, Waverley Borough Council has completed a series of refurbishments in partnership with their operator DC Leisure following a contract extension which was supported by Duncan and his team at Capita in 2006/7. This has resulted in major improvements to Farnham Leisure Centre and Cranleigh Leisure Centre. Building work is progressing to schedule on the new Godalming Leisure Centre. The project will take approximately 18 months and is due to be completed in Autumn 2012. The facilities will include:
- 25 metre, six lane swimming pool
- 12 metre by eight metre learner pool
- fitness suite with 60 stations
- 120 square metre multi purpose dance and indoor sports area
- café and viewing area.
Duncan Wood-Allum, Director of SLC said,“One the the most satisfying parts of my job is enabling the delivery of community facilities. I’m delighted that these clients have had the courage to see their vision through to reality and will be very proud to the see all the buildings open and buzzing by the end of the year.” SLC is currently supporting Canterbury City Council in a detailed feasibility study exploring design options for the Kingsmead Leisure Centre.
For further information on how SLC can help ensure your project is sustainable and optimises its chances of ‘getting out of the ground’ – give us a call on 01444 459927.