We were asked to undertake an options appraisal as the existing sports hall (photographed) was no longer fit-for-purpose. It was undersized to meet the current school intake which had doubled since the sports hall was constructed. The Academy and sports hall is located within a central and prominent location within a conservation area, and a number of the education buildings on site are listed. This had to be taken into consideration in development of the options for the scheme.
Our client had a clear brief that the new sports hall had to provide a flexible multi-sports provision including an NBA sized basketball court, disabled changing and toilet facilities in addition to male and female, storage and prevent bottleneck issues such as those caused by the existing hall design.
We undertook a full options appraisal and feasibility study, identifying 3 options and undertaking a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) study of each option. These options were presented to the client who identified their preferred option to develop further. We then worked with a Quantity Surveyor to develop a detailed cost estimate for the scheme. The selected option provided an exciting opportunity to integrate modern and innovative design with the functional needs of the building. The design provided ample storage, flexible spaces and a viewing gallery on the first floor. Internal glazed screening to around parts of the court provided a light an airy feel to the space.
The client then instructed us to develop the preferred scheme into a full planning application and Evans & James produced the required detailed drawings and supporting documentation for the scheme. This included a Design and Access Statement and Heritage Impact Assessment. Unfortunately the academy were unsuccessful in a bid for external funding to finance the project and the scheme is now on hold until sufficient funding is obtained.
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