LK2 the catalyst in community leisure regeneration
The team at LK2 have been the catalysts behind many a transformational project, and none more so than the Southampton Outdoors Sports Centre, which is expected to receive planning permission in April.
This article discusses the unique LK2 approach and our specialist way of working that has revolutionised sport and leisure projects across the UK.
From our rural headquarters in Lincoln, our specialist team of sports consultants and commercial and leisure architects is regularly commissioned to advise on strategic sports-only projects. However, when working with private developers, landowners, and asset managers, our team often unlocks the potential for large-scale leisure regeneration.
This is true for the Southampton Outdoor Sports centre, a project that first surfaced in 2013 thanks to our status as one of only three architects on both the FA and Football Foundation, and Sport England frameworks.
The initial project, valued at £12m, presented a gateway of possibilities for the team. Following a thorough procurement analysis that explored asset transfer and capital recipients. What we see before us now is a unique self-sustaining multi-faceted build valued at £24m with the ability to revolutionise Southampton's health and well-being offer.
As we eagerly anticipate planning permission for this significant build, we reflect on our involvement. The years of engagement, consultation and analysis have led to a model that unites commerciality with conscience, sustainability with sport, and strategic development with local need. A project that, through our team's guidance, has engaged multiple stakeholders, unveiled new income streams and maximised strategic capital and revenue.
We are incredibly grateful, of course, for our close relationships with Sport England and all major National Governing Bodies, as this high-level strategic support, coupled with our background in development, ensures social impact. All our projects are aligned with NGB objectives aimed at improving participation rates in sports, leisure, and recreation.
However, Southampton Outdoor Sports is not our first rodeo; before it came three successful benchmarking projects, each offering unique development challenges and unique commercial opportunities, but with each, the LK2 team played a pivotal role.
First up is the Borderville Sports Centre, a new state-of-the-art, multi-million-pound sports centre and stadium in Stamford. The LK2 injection of optioneering and project realisation attracted multi-million-pound grant aid. It engaged new stakeholders in the project, taking it from circa £2m to its finishing total of £6m.
Next came the award-winning redevelopment of Market Road's football pitches and pavilion in Islington. On paper, the project resurfaced two 11-a-side artificial grass pitches and welcomed three new smaller pitches and a modern changing room complex. However, this project was only possible due to the political leverage our team secured from Islington Council, the Premier League, the FA Facilities fund, Football Foundation, and the FA. The project also received full support from Arsenal FC. LK2's expertise secured grant aid of £832,000 and, for a local community, saved 127 football teams.
And then there is Rectory Park Middlesex… London's first Parklife-funded community hub pavilion. The £5.1m project is the perfect example of a concept embracing local needs. Boosted by £3m grant funding identified by the LK2 team, the sustainable multi-use hub has regenerated an open space to provide a social space combined with a new headquarters for Middlesex FA.
We are proud to have been the driving force that fuelled these projects' growth. What started small, our team have scaled, and together with stakeholders; we have delivered wide-ranging health, social and community benefits.
The planning authorities for the Southampton Outdoor Sports Centre are residing next month. As they review our proposed design to regenerate the 150-acre site known affectionately as the 'green lung', we are confident they will see what we see, the blueprint for grassroots sports provision.