Key stages of a sports development project

Sports facilities are among a club’s most valuable assets. Modernising existing facilities or constructing new ones is a significant undertaking that requires careful planning and execution. Enhanced facilities can improve experiences for athletes, spectators, and the wider community. They provide better training environments, enhance the club’s image, attract corporate investment, sponsorship, and players, and drive both matchday and non-matchday revenue. This article details the key stages involved in upgrading existing facilities or constructing new ones for a sports club.

Initial assessment

An early assessment should be conducted to ensure the club has all necessary land and rights for the project and to identify any title or property constraints that could hinder development (eg restrictive covenants or third-party rights).

For urban facilities, rights to light can cause significant problems and should be considered early. Many existing facilities contain telecoms equipment, where relocation can be problematic and should also be factored into an overall strategy.

The club should conduct a feasibility assessment to determine the project’s viability, including evaluating the financial and technical aspects to ensure it's deliverable, sustainable, and practical. The club must develop a clear vision and objectives for the facilities.

Funding the project

No project will happen without the necessary funding. The club must carefully consider development funding, including how the terms of that funding affects the project’s viability. Assuming the project is not entirely self-funded, alternative avenues of funding could include grants, bonds, loans, and/or sponsorships. Grants can be sourced from government programs, sports associations, or private foundations. Loans from banks or other financial institutions can provide necessary capital, while sponsorships from local businesses or corporations offer additional financial support in exchange for advertising or promotional opportunities.

Assembling the project team

The club must assemble a team of experts, including surveyors, architects, engineers, and environmental consultants, to offer specialised advice and support throughout the project. The club should select a reputable building contractor and team of consultants with a proven track record in sports facility development, aligned with the vision and ambition for the scheme.

A good project manager should be appointed at an early stage to oversee the process, ensuring the project remains on schedule, within budget, and meets the required quality standards and any statutory requirements and sporting regulations.

Community engagement

The club should consider what community engagement will be necessary to assist the smooth running of the project. Development can be controversial and emotive, and bringing the community along on the journey is often crucial to ensuring the project’s success, particularly during the planning stage.

Planning and design

Navigating local and national planning policies is a crucial step in the development process and the club should consider engaging with this at an early stage. The club must prepare and submit comprehensive plans to the local planning authority, detailing the proposed upgrades, to obtain the necessary planning consents for the development. The process may involve several stages, including public consultations. The club must be prepared to address any objections or concerns raised, which could range from environmental impacts to increased noise or traffic. It may be necessary to negotiate planning obligations and conditions, to regulate the construction and ongoing use of the development and mitigate any impacts which the proposals may otherwise have, and to secure biodiversity net gain.

The club will need to engage designers and architects to create detailed specifications and plans for the new facilities. Interfaces with services and utilities may need to be assessed, as increase in demand can necessitate capacity enhancement works. The club should also consider what licences it will require to lawfully carry out its proposed activities, such as entertainment or alcohol licences. Failure to obtain these could significantly impact commercial activities. Additional considerations may arise where the scheme involves the delivery of residential elements or the provision of commercial units that will be let to third party operators.

Construction phase

The timing of the development will be crucial, particularly for upgrading existing facilities. Coinciding the development with the close season, or strategical sequencing of the programme, ensures that construction work does not interfere with training sessions or matches and minimises potential revenue losses.

Proper site preparation is crucial to avoid delays. This may involve demolishing existing structures, addressing any contamination, grading the land to ensure a level foundation, and setting up temporary facilities for workers and equipment. Robust quality control measures should be implemented to maintain high standards throughout the build. This includes conducting regular inspections to ensure the construction meets the specified requirements, ensuring the final product is safe, durable, and built sustainably. Funders and insurers may also require inspection and monitoring rights.

Completion and handover

Finally, the club must conduct inspections and commissioning tests to ensure the new or upgraded facilities meet quality standards and specifications, as well as applicable building regulations, planning conditions and sporting regulations. Any defects or issues should be promptly addressed and rectified to ensure the facilities are safe and fully operational before handover. Necessary documentation, such as maintenance manuals, approved inspections from local authorities and surveyors, builder and manufacturer warranties, final drawings, and relevant certifications, should be handed over to the club.

Conclusion

Upgrading or developing new sports facilities requires careful planning, collaboration, and execution. By following the outlined steps, a sports club can successfully enhance its existing facilities or construct new ones. These improvements benefit athletes and spectators, bolster the club’s reputation and community engagement, and ultimately lead to increased revenue through sponsorship opportunities, expanded use of the facilities, and ticket sales. A well-executed redevelopment project can provide lasting value, creating a lively and sustainable sports facility for years to come.

If you have any questions about the above, please get in touch with Peter Collins - [email protected].

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