A new sports Pavilion has given Silverdale Athletic a permanent and much-needed home within the local community, thanks to Fords of Blythe Bridge.
Fords of Blythe Bridge was appointed as principal contractor on this flagship construction project, working with Newcastle Borough and Staffordshire County Council to design a building which would provide first-rate facilities for the football club, and also provide a valuable hub and community space for local residents.
The new community building hosts a large open-plan function room which overlooks the football pitches for match day spectators, and which is also used for community events, such as fitness sessions, community and social events. The function room has an adjoining bar and kitchen, serving food and drinks.
In addition, the community building hosts first-rate changing facilities, with separate changing and showering areas for the home and visiting football teams, officials, and for disabled users.
The timber-framed modular building has a pitched roof and brick cladding, sympathetic with the surrounding environment. Subsequent landscaping and groundworks provided a large car parking facility for the new community building and fully turfed surroundings.
If a traditional bricks and mortar build had been adopted, the project simply would never have got off the ground, due to the higher costs associated with traditional build. Newcastle Borough and Staffordshire County Council decided to opt for a modular build instead, which offers a lower build cost as well as around 40% quicker construction time.
The modular approach combines the environmental benefits of a timber-build with the aesthetics of a traditional brick build. The timber frame means a significantly lower carbon footprint and superior insulation and thermal performance compared with a brick build, helping to lower running costs for the football club.
The community building was officially opened by Newcastle Borough Council and Labour peer Lord John Prescott, who roundly praised the new building as a vital community facility.
The project was awarded the highest possible ratings for quality of build and quality of service by Entrust, and was completed on time and on budget.
