Community Hub Case Study - Market Road Football Development Centre
In this, the second Community Hub case study in our mini-series, we will be exploring how we took a football centre in an area of significant deprivation and reimagined it to create one of London’s prime football hubs. In line with the theme discussed in our overarching Community Hubs article, we look at how we developed a space which built community through sport.
Creating spaces for people
In 1972, when Market Road first opened, it was a cutting edge facility; the first football hub in London to sport artificial turf. Over the years however, the pitches and changing facilities became so run down that they were not fit for purpose.
The last thing this area needed was to lose a much needed resource which brought people together. We also knew that patching up what was there was not a sustainable option. LK2’s Sport and Leisure team worked, with the support of Arsenal FC, the Premier League, the FA Facilities Fund, Football Foundation and the FA, to secure £1.2m of grant funding.
‘Islington has the least amount of green space of any London Borough, so providing a quality, safe environment for local residents to be active was important for us.’ Natalie Battye, Associate at LK2.
With funding secured, we were able to design a facility which far exceeded the scope of the previous one and created long-term provision for a wider variety of community groups. The regeneration included two full size 3G artificial grass pitches, three small-sided 3G artificial grass pitches and a dynamic energy efficient pavilion.
We also incorporated modern changing rooms, a sports education room, which overlooks the pitches and community facilities.
Harnessing Energy
This project needed to be an asset to the community in more ways than simply provision. It needed to benefit Islington on an environmental level. LK2 set about designing a building management system which optimised the heating and ventilation systems. Ensuring that spike periods of usage were carefully considered to achieve optimum usage of energy levels. The design also incorporates an underground rain water harvest system.
Through this inspired design we created a football hub which achieved a 30% reduction in the carbon footprint above the building regulation baseline standard.
The positive impact of a Community Football Hub
In 2015 Arsenal legend Liam Brady officially opened the new Market Road Football Hub. Since then the facility has brought a new level of social inclusion to children from local estates, with Islington Youth League using it as a base and over 200 teams using the facility.
The site also won the first ever ‘Outstanding London Sports Venue Award’ from My Local Pitch.
‘In an area where community is everything we are proud to have been a part of providing this hub to allow local sport to thrive.’ Andy Newman, Director at LK2.
Your Community Hub
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