A project which highlights the breadth and value of LK2’s experience and specialist consultancy service to deliver a multi-user sports and education facility which became the defining model for the national programme for “Parklife” football hubs.
Client
Burghley House Preservation Trust, New College Stamford and Stamford AFC
Value
£6m
Services
Architectural design and delivery
Masterplanning
Sport and leisure consultancy
Initially, part of a self-funded developer-led scheme through the sale of land housing Stamford AFC for housing, a feasibility study carried out by LK2 concluded that the project was unsustainable from a commercial perspective. As a solution, LK2 proposed a more comprehensive shared sport and education hub and approached New College Stamford to become a third key partner to extract value from existing assets and create cost savings through shared facilities.
This generated improved sports provision in the area enabling maximum grant alignment and a sustainable business plan. The hub incorporates a new stadium and full size first team grass pitch for Stamford AFC, a full size 3G community and training artificial grass pitch, community grass pitches, a 4-court sports hall, fitness suite, changing facilities, education and sports science rooms, function and meeting rooms and a bar and restaurant.
The green belt development has not only met the current and future-needs of Stamford AFC, New College Stamford and BHPT, but is now a hub of sports excellence for the community and is one of the largest FA single funded project outside of National Centre at St. Georges Park.
“Congratulations to Stamford AFC, local partner organisations and Lincolnshire County FA for making this stunning complex a reality. It is a wonderful example of how the Premier League and FA Facilities Fund can make a real difference in supporting the grassroots infrastructure in football around the country”.
Greg Dyke, Chairman of the Football Association
