Case Study
ST. MARY'S COLLEGE
Steve Wells Associates was originally called in by Mike Walsh, the then Headteacher of St. Mary's College in Hull, to pursue the development of a full sized floodlit synthetic turf pitch. In working with the Head, it was apparent that the school's needs were more far-reaching.
Working with school staff and local sports partners, SWA prepared and developed an early application for Sports College status which was granted in January 2001.
In consultation with all the key stakeholders, Steve Wells Associates prepared a successful Sport England Lottery Fund submission for the first large 'Optimum' Sports Hall development in the country, incorporating an airy community reception, foyer, lounge, kitchen and servery, a four-court sports hall, a large and fully inclusive fitness suite, a separate dance studio, a range of changing accommodation for student and community users, plus an adjacent fenced and floodlit multi-use games area (MUGA).
The successful bid attracted a Sport England Lottery Fund award of around £2.4m which, along with additional successful grant aid applications, secured this state of the art, energy efficient and stunning building with a total project cost of over £3.2m.
In addition to developing the school's plans, undertaking complex consultations, dealing with major planning negotiations, and constructing all funding applications, Steve Wells Associates undertook the role of employer's representative and project manager for all works as well as landscape architect and contract administrator for the external sports facilities, for example the MUGA development. Practical completion was declared in October 2003.
Steve Wells also worked with Johnny Clay - the British Cycling Talent Development Officer at the time and a Sydney Olympics medal winner - to develop a cyclo-cross course on the site.
In responding to this development, Sport England praised the wide-ranging sports development plans submitted on behalf of the College which linked experienced coaches, a network of local schools, local sports clubs and individual performers to provide a balanced and accessible programme of affordable activities for the whole community ... made sport happen.