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Alliance Leisure Hands Over £7 Million 365-Day Activity Hub In Brentwood
Brentwood Borough Council has officially opened a new, all year round activity hub which has transformed an under-utilised recreation ground into an active, accessible, environment that will encourage everyone in the community to move more.
The £7 million scheme to transform King George’s Playing Fields in Brentwood, began in January 2021 and has been delivered by Alliance Leisure, Lead Development Contractor on the UK leisure Framework, owned by Denbighshire Leisure.
The project forms part of the council’s 10-year Leisure Strategy. Running until 2028, the strategy outlines the council’s vision for a high quality, accessible, affordable and financially sustainable sport and leisure provision which delivers a mix of facilities and services that will service the diverse needs of residents both now and in the future.
The transformation of King George’s Playing Fields is an important part of Brentwood Borough Council’s ambitions to future-proof its leisure and recreation facilities. This project is a prime example of how to re-think public leisure provision, creating accessible and financially sustainable facilities that will ensure a successful future for this much loved park, while improving the health and wellbeing of local people.
Ruth Ripsher
Creating a diverse, sustainable leisure provision
Prior to this investment, the recreation ground already offered a variety of sports and recreation facilities including a children’s play area, skate park, football and rugby pitches, bowls greens, a 1970’s pavilion used by Hartswood Golf Club and a privately-run crazy golf course.
The purpose of the development has been focused on supporting the borough’s anticipated housing growth and the fulfilment of an ambition to increase participation in physical activity, especially amongst young people.
Following consultation with key stakeholders and the wider public, Alliance Leisure, working through the UK Leisure Framework with a dedicated supply chain of leisure specialists, has delivered a mix of facilities, both inside and outside of a new-build pavilion, that balances financial viability for the council with addressing the leisure needs of residents.
Planning for the redevelopment was secured at the end of 2019, but the pandemic meant that construction was delayed. Works finally got underway in January 2021 with most of the development opening to the public on 11th March 2022.
Accessible sport and physical activity for everyone
The project centrepiece is an impressive new pavilion which replaces a building previously occupied mainly by Hartswood Golf Club. Built in the 1970s, the structure required significant work to upgrade the site and transform the provision into a multi-purpose venue that would inspire and engage a much wider segment of the community.
Designed by Saunders Boston Architects and built by ISG, the new building, named the Hartswood Pavilion – is located adjacent to the current pavilion which is due to be demolished now that the new building is complete. It is a two-story structure which has been sunken into the ground reducing its impact on the openness of the green belt and carefully considered composite cladding applied to the building exterior, which ensures it blends into its surroundings, complementing rather than defining the natural environment. The footprint of the new Pavillion is also larger than the original enabling it to serve both the golf club membership and the wider public with an extended range of facilities, including the park’s first indoor play provision.
The high quality, flexible space includes new changing rooms, toilet and showers for local rugby and football teams, a golf clubhouse and Golf Pro Shop, as well as a bar with a terrace providing far reaching views of the golf course, bowls club and surrounds. Other facilities include a flexible, multi-purpose room, a Changing Places facility, a café, a two-storey soft play facility designed and delivered by Play Revolution and a sensory room providing a safe therapeutic space to help individuals regulate, develop and engage their senses as their interact with and explore the environment around them.
The new pavilion also features TAGactive, an indoor immersive game-based obstacle course, also from Play Revolution, which can be enjoyed as an individual or with friends and family. The TAGactive arena features a number of challenges, including net climbs, cargo tunnels and ball pools, all of which have a number of Tags within them which participants must tap with a sensor on their wrist. The more difficult the Tag to reach, the more points achieved.
Driving revenue for a sustainable future
Working through the UK Leisure Framework, the priority, in terms of design and delivery, was to create a destination everyone in the community could utilise both now and in the future. To achieve this, extensive feasibility studies were conducted prior to build, matching facility provision to latent demand. It was also important not to exclude any segments of the community due to accessibility or cost, hence the diverse mix of paid and free facilities supported by services that promote inclusion and access for those living with mobility issues and other disabilities.
Supplementing the indoor provision are external facilities including an adventure play area. Designed by Kompan for children aged eight and above, the facility has a range of challenging structures – the highest of which measures circa 10m – and includes slides, towers and nets. Opening to the public in April 2022, all sessions are 55 minutes long.
Also opening in April 2022 is a new, accessible splash pad. Developed on the footprint of the park’s former paddling pools, which were removed in 2017 for health and safety reasons, the splash pad from Ustigate is supported by a Changing Places facility, new toilets and a kiosk. The new space features nature themed aquatic play structures and a variety of ground water jets such as sidewinders, directional jets and a cylinder spray to provide a wide range of play opportunities.
Both the splash pad and climbing facility are chargeable, while the park’s recently improved junior and toddler play areas are free of charge. The whole area is also served by a network of walking and cycling trails to encourage active travel.
We were also committed to providing accessible facilities, such as the new splash pad, introducing two new changing places facilities, a new sensory room as well as brand new soft play and the TAGactive facilities.
In addition to the facilities in the new pavilion building, the Council has also invested in the free outdoor play areas which not only makes for an exciting day out, but also has a huge range of challenging structures and high and lower level areas to be explored by adventurous children.
As the weather starts to warm up, it is going to be great to see families enjoying all these new activities.
Councillor Cliff Poppy
Moving forwards, the site will be operated by Everyone Active on behalf of the Brentwood Borough Council. Everyone Active is Part of Sports and Leisure Management Ltd and is the longest-established leisure contractor in the UK. Duncan Jefford, Regional Director at Everyone Active, comments: “We’re delighted to be welcomed into the district’s community to continue our partnership with the council by managing the new King George’s Playing Fields alongside The Brentwood Centre.
A Framework Fit for Leisure
When it comes to the best procurement framework to choose, it isn’t the case that one size fits all. With the unique and specific demands of the leisure sector, a complete ‘delivery solution’, that is tailored for public leisure, better delivers the required outcomes of a project and ongoing operational success. The UK Leisure Framework provides exactly that solution. Owned by Denbighshire Leisure and delivered by Alliance Leisure, public leisure facilities are being transformed across the country.
So, how does this ‘leisure expertise’ provide benefits and support development success? The answer can be seen during all three phases of a project; before, during and after.
Before a project gets started when it is an aspiration waiting to take flight, analysis of the local demographic, competition, mystery shops and customer demand, provided by those that understand the market, are all essential to give key insight. Early engagement of leisure specialist consultant / architect / contractor / suppliers, all under a single appointment by the development partner, ensures joined up working from the different disciplines aimed towards a common goal. At this stage, the key outcomes are identified which reach further than purely commercial success, aiming for improved community health and wellbeing linked to strategic objectives of sector Governing Bodies. This understanding of the market and demographic intelligence informs the progression of the concept so the seed is sown to put the project on the right path.
A framework development partner, who has the capability to provide a public consultation platform and even facilitate the procurement of an operator, saves client time and resource whilst helping move the project forwards to achieve approval.
As design progresses, the experience of decades in delivering leisure schemes coupled with a constant research and development of leisure product innovation, provides unique expertise that ‘sprinkles the stardust’ on design to create exciting and engaging facilities that drive repeat user visits, time after time (for example, White Oak Leisure Centre). The assembled project team, bringing together industry specialists under the framework umbrella, keep ‘buildability’ at the heart within the defined budget envelope by early contractor engagement
The interface between the main construction and the customer end-point is key, and this link can be overlooked without a team who have a background in leisure enabling a unique understanding of the requirements from the operator and users. As an example, when developing a Soft Play facility within a new leisure centre, it is one thing to construct the space and then install the play structure, but key consideration needs to be given to; access control for the space, customer journey, avoiding ‘pinch points’ in customer flow, parental viewing, food and beverage link, features to encourage repeat visits, secondary spend opportunities and so on. This type of analysis applies to all areas.
Constructing a building is not a unique skill but creating a place that reaches out and engages with the wider community, is.
During project delivery, an understanding of the need to keep a leisure operation ‘live’ is often crucial, and a delivery team with a leisure operational background can work through solutions to ensure continuity of service for members of the public (as was the case with our development at Haverhill Leisure Centre). An appreciation of the key service elements that must remain open feeds into construction phasing plans, programming and temporary spaces where necessary. An effective development partner works in the space between the principle contractor and client, adding value throughout the process with an understanding of the nuances of sector. Delivered by a dependable team that are genuinely there every step of the way, from concept to completion, gives continuity to the client throughout the journey with a solution-focussed group working in collaboration.
After the new facility has been delivered, the operational outcomes take priority (commercial, environmental, social) and a true development partner will be able to offer a bespoke support package, based on experience in working with leisure operators across the country, to help achieve and exceed targets.
Providing firm costs and mitigating risk, whilst delivering value for money and social benefits, should all be a given from a robust framework delivery partner. Industry specific expertise though, is the difference in delivering a project fit for the future.
Our Top 4 Takeaways:
Early engagement with all partners and suppliers ensures a joined up working from the different disciplines aimed towards a common goal
A leisure specialist development partner adds value throughout the process with a unique understanding of the nuances of the sector.
An understanding of the need to keep a leisure operation ‘live’ is crucial
A true development partner will be able to offer a bespoke support package to help achieve and exceed targets
About the author:
Tom Fairey is Development Director at Alliance Leisure and has been with the company since 2011.
Meet the rest of the team on the link below or head over to LinkedIn to connect with Tom.
Alliance Leisure Celebrates a Promotion and a New Joiner
Alliance Leisure has promoted Tom Fairey into the new position of Development Director. The move coincides with the extension of the development team and the welcoming of Chris Ames as Alliance Delivery Manager.
Tom joined Alliance Leisure in 2011 as Business Development Manager and has spent the last decade transforming communities through the delivery of inspirational activity focused development projects, mainly in the South East.
In his new role, Tom will continue to oversee a portfolio of development projects whilst also making a valuable contribution to the future planning and strategic direction of the company via a seat on the Development Board.
Tom says: “Over the last 10 years I have learnt so much and I am keen to apply my expertise to help shape the future direction of the company. Despite the financial challenges facing local authorities, Alliance Leisure has a health pipeline of committed large-scale development projects.
“Working in partnership with local authorities and via our continued role as Lead Development Partner on the UK Leisure Framework, owned by Denbighshire Leisure, we remain committed to our ambition to create active environments that support healthy, happy and prosperous communities.”
In addition, Alliance has welcomed Chris Ames as Alliance Delivery Manager. Chris joins the company from a background in facility management and will sit in Tom’s team, looking on delivering development projects in the South East.
Chris brings with him a wealth of experience across the public and private sectors. Building on 10 years first-hand experience of leisure and hospitality management, Chris moved on to leisure contract management, procurement and facility development. Most recently, Chris worked as Director of Business Development for SLT Group, focused on business growth, service development and private facility and business acquisitions.
Chris says: “Working in public sector facility management and business development for so many years, I crossed paths with Alliance Leisure on many occasions and the professionalism, dedication and expertise of the team has always stood out to me. Being part of that team now, I look forward to helping other Local Authorities and Trusts shape their own leisure facilities through the experience and specialisation that Alliance brings.”
Commenting on the two new positions, Sarah Watts, CEO, Alliance Leisure, says: “As the company continues to increase its presence as the UK’s leading leisure development specialist, it is fantastic to be able to reward existing and welcome new expertise. Tom has played a vital role in the company’s growth and success over the last ten years so it is only fitting that we recognise this outstanding contribution through extending his influence in our strategic decisions. Introducing Chris to the team brings a new depth to our expertise which I am sure will be instrumental in the onward success of the business.”
Sport and physical activity is key to levelling up your community
The government’s recent Levelling Up White Paper has been met with a mixed response, with many lamenting the lack of new funding specifically for leisure and others criticising the 10 year timescale as too long.
Whatever your views, it’s clear that something needs to be done to improve opportunities and to reduce regional disparities to make the UK a more equitable place to live, particularly as many of these inequalities have been exacerbated by the pandemic.
The paper sets out 12 missions to support the government’s levelling up objectives. These include narrowing the gap in health life expectancy – people living in the most deprived communities in England have up to 18 years less of their lives in good general health than the least deprived – and improving wellbeing in every area of the UK by 2030.
Sport and physical activity has a critical role to play in these areas as well as the wider levelling up agenda. At Alliance, we are working with local authorities using sport and physical activity as a vehicle to effect positive change in their communities. Authorities who are investing in new and improved facilities that not only actively seek to reduce local health disparities, but also contribute to the physical fabric of their community and provide a sense of civic pride – another of the White Paper’s 12 missions.
Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council is one such authority. The council is investing in a multi-million pound swimming pool and leisure centre for Halifax after securing money from the government’s Levelling Up Fund. A key part of the Calderdale Next Chapter transformation programme, the new Halifax Leisure Centre will combine Halifax Swimming Pool and North Bridge Leisure Centre into a single, flagship facility on the existing North Bridge Leisure Centre site, which sits in one of the Borough’s most densely populated and deprived areas.
Approximately 27,000 people in Halifax live in one of the UK’s 10 per cent most deprived communities, which forms the main catchment area for the project and represents 31 per cent of the total population.
The new centre will significantly enhance the quality of the leisure offer in Halifax while safeguarding vital facilities which deliver health and wellbeing benefits. With a central location and benefiting from improved connectivity thanks to new bus and railway stations plus improved highway links, the new centre is a prime example of how sport and physical activity can help drive wider regeneration.
The venue complements other on-going projects within the town centre to increase footfall, aiding the local economy’s pandemic recovery and addressing borough-wide priorities to reduce inequalities, grow the economy and build a sustainable future.
And, as an attractive new facility, Halifax Leisure Centre will be an important asset for the town, promoting a sense of ownership and civic pride amongst the local population.
Similarly, in East Lindsey, the Town’s Fund is seeing millions of pounds invested into the east coast with £12m to be spent in Mablethorpe as part of exciting plans that Alliance Leisure are supporting for the development of a new leisure and learning hub. Incorporating a range of leisure facilities, including a fitness suite and 25m swimming pool as well as community and digital learning spaces, this facility will serve the community not just as a place to get fit and stay healthy but also to meet others and learn.
This is levelling up in action, with sport and physical activity at the very heart of plans to tackle health inequalities, improve wellbeing and encourage pride of place.
If you would like to find out how we can help you unlock your community’s potential contact us today.
Works Complete On New Leisure Centre In Sevenoaks
A two-year project to deliver a brand new, modern leisure centre that meets the modern needs of its diverse community has opened its doors in Swanley, Kent.
The development, managed by Alliance Leisure, employed ISG as construction partner and was procured by Sevenoaks District Council through the UK Leisure Framework, owned and managed by Denbighshire Leisure.
Described by the Leader of the Council as a ‘historic investment’, the new centre replaces an inefficient centre of the same name built in the 1960s and creates an activity hub that meet the hugely diverse needs of modern society.
“It’s fantastic to see this centre finally open its doors” says Tom Fairey, Senior Business Development Manager, Alliance Leisure. Designed by architects, Saunders Boston, the new centre provides an environmentally responsible activity hub for everyone to enjoy.
Wet side, the development incorporates two pools – a 25 metre, six lane pool with an adjustable height floor plus a learner pool – ideal for hosting the centre’s full programme of children’s swimming lessons. Both pools are supported by a family changing village.
In addition there is a 100 station gym, with mainly Technogym equipment a modern group cycling studio, two large Group Exercise Studios and a multi-purpose sports hall for a wide range of activities and clubs.
For families and young people, a dedicated soft play area entertains the younger ages whilst TAGactive, a challenging gamified obstacle course develops strategic thinking, speed, agility, balance and spatial awareness.
There is also a dedicated Feel Good Suite featuring power-assisted equipment for people with limited mobility, the elderly and those managing long-term conditions.
The centre offers a modern café to serve all the activity areas along with fantastic viewing areas to the pools. The whole centre is built to accommodate everyone, including those with mobility issues. The swimming areas include two ‘Pool Pods’ to aid accessibility and two lifts provide access between floors, and the centre boasts changing places toilets.
Cllr. Peter Flemming, Leader of the Council, at Sevenoaks District Council, says: “This new centre represents the largest public investment for Swanley in over 30 years. Designed to support everyone in the community, across their entire life journey, this facility offers a sustainable leisure provision that will be enjoyed for generations. The pandemic has really hammered home the mental and physical benefits of an active lifestyle. Through this investment we are committing to encouraging an active community to drive health, happiness and prosperity for all.”
The centre officially opened to the public on Saturday, February 14, 2022 and will be managed by Everyone Active.
JONNY CURLEY JOINS ALLIANCE LEISURE
To kick off 2022, Alliance Leisure is pleased to announce the appointment of industry heavy-weight, Jonny Curley, to drive leisure development across Scotland.
Jonny Curley will take on the role of Senior Business Development Manager (Scotland) to enhance the company’s ability to develop and deliver its existing pipeline of leisure projects and future development plans. Located in Glasgow, Jonny will utilise his industry experience and extensive network to further enhance the company’s progress in Scotland while supporting on other projects UK wide.
Commenting on the appointment, Alliance Leisure’s Managing Director, Paul Cluett, says: “Jonny has been involved with many Alliance projects as a supplier over the years and we have always enjoyed working with him and been aware of his similar work ethic and values. Now the timing is right for him to join us and we are delighted to welcome him into the business.
“Alliance Leisure is already playing a significant role in leisure development across Scotland, thanks mainly to our growing network of local authorities and involvement in the Scottish Leisure Network Group. Bringing Jonny onboard means we can continue to build on these foundations and become an even more integral component of future leisure development across the region.”
Jonny brings with him over 25 years of leisure experience. In 2010, he joined Origin Fitness as a Director and co-owner playing a key role in developing the business over a ten-year period. More recently, he joined Hutchinson Technologies as Sales Director. Both roles were with Scottish based companies, positioning Jonny as one of the most experienced and accomplished industry leaders in the region.
With a passion for driving success through the creation and management of a strong and positive company culture, Jonny also sits on the CIMSPA Scotland Professional Development Board and also the Scottish Leisure Network Group.
Jonny says: “A strong leisure provision has the potential to drive health, happiness and prosperity across entire communities and I am looking forward to using my network and expertise to help Alliance Leisure develop leisure spaces and centres throughout Scotland. Over the years, I have worked with Alliance Leisure on a number of projects and have always been impressed by the dedication, professionalism and expertise of the team. When an opportunity was presented for me to become a part of that team, I jumped at it.”
Meet the whole team here…
Active Families Report
Active Families Report (download available)
Alliance Leisure is proud to announce the launch of Active Families, an exploration of the vital role that family life plays in a child’s exposure to physical activity and the positive contribution purpose built facilities can play on the journey. The report has been compiled in partnership with ukactive and is available to download now.
“During the pandemic families faced huge challenges but there were some positives to emerge,” says Sarah Watts, CEO, Alliance Leisure. “According to Sport England research, 21 per cent of 7-16 year olds reported they were more active as a family during lockdown.1 This is encouraging news and highlights the important role that family can play in helping young people reach physical activity targets.
“Active Families shines a light on two important factors. Firstly, it explores the many benefits of family physical activity, whilst also highlighting barriers to participation and how they can be overcome. It also looks at a child’s physical development needs at various stages of their life and how these needs are answered by the current activity provision.
“Secondly, the report showcases Alliance’s work with TAGactive to evidence how innovative physical activity solutions can provide positive and viable activity choices to families and encourage them to exercise regularly together.
“We are very pleased to have contributed to this important piece of work. As childhood obesity continues to rise and many schools struggle to deliver the Chief Medical Officer’s recommended daily physical activity target, the role of the family in helping children to achieve physical literacy is more critical than ever. Developing accessible family focused facilities that inspire movement can encourage the formation of habits and values that are likely to carry into adulthood, safeguarding the health and wellbeing of our future generations.”
Reference
1 Sport England (2020) Children’s experience of physical activity in lockdown https://www.thinkactive.org/wp-content/ uploads/2020/07/Sport-England-Childrens-experience-of- physical-activity.pdf
To see how Alliance Leisure can help operators develop their facilities for families click on the link below…
Response to Sport England’s New 10-Year Strategy, ‘Uniting the Movement’
Response to Sport England’s New 10-Year Strategy, ‘Uniting the Movement’ from our CEO, Sarah Watts
The new Sport England 10-year strategy has filled me with hope and enthusiasm. With a vision to tackle inequality and create a nation of “more equal, inclusive and connected communities’, there is finally official recognition that, rather than being treated as a ‘siloed package’ physical activity should be integrated into all aspects of life through a whole-system approach to local delivery.
To quote Tim Hollingsworth, CEO, Sport England, “If you start to embed the benefit of sport and physical activity within the local authority and its wider ambition – so you really do connect it to health, to education, to transport and in many cases to tackling anti-social behaviour, or some of the other problems faced in those local environments – you can suddenly have a very different discussion with local authorities about the role that sport can play in their communities. Suddenly it becomes a much better basis for sustained investment and engagement.” Hear, hear, Mr Holllingsworth.
It is also encouraging that ‘active environments‘ has been recognised as one of the areas of focus. This is music to my ears.
If we are to change behaviours, especially amongst social groups who are traditionally less active, and encourage more people to move, we need to create and nurture environments that engage and inspire. Opportunities to be active need to be all around us, embedded in daily routines.
The population’s reaction to the COVID induced lockdowns has been an interesting lesson. During times of extended social restrictions, many people have reengaged with the environment, exploring the walks and cycles available to them from their front doors. This has demonstrated that, even when leisure centres and gyms are closed, the environment around us can support an active community, if it is designed to deliver safe, enjoyable and fulfilling experiences.
As one of the UK’s leading leisure developers, a large percentage of the work we deliver at Alliance involves the regeneration and repurposing of leisure centres. However, and this is where is gets exciting, more and more of our work with local authorities involves exploring opportunities to incorporate physical activity into wider planning and development.
I believe the new Sport England strategy will encourage local authorities to invite their in-house or contracted leisure teams into conversations around the achievement of broad community objectives. Dedicated leisure facilities need to be intrinsically linked to other community services, with parks and playgrounds strategically positioned and well maintained. I believe the provision of attractive, well maintained active environments will become a key driver in property purchasing decisions moving forwards, with people keen to live in a place that offers more than a good local school and shops.
This strategy document is a positive step in the right direction but to deliver its aims will require significant change in the way physical activity is perceived and delivered. The fact that leisure services are still not valued as a statutory requirement needs to change. There needs to be a widespread understanding and acceptance of the vital role sport and physical activity can place in the creation of a happy, healthy and prosperous society.
Well done, Sport England. Uniting The Movement is a 10 year strategy and it is certainly true that change of this magnitude will not take place overnight. However, recognition of the need to change and a vision for how change will be encouraged is a good place to start.
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