LK2 partnered with Gleeds – the Framework Managing Consultant (FMC) - to win the coveted five-year framework which will primarily cover the improvement of local football facilities in the north of the country on behalf of the Football Foundation – the largest sports charity in the UK, funded by the Premier League, The Football Association and the Government (via Sport England). Other community sports such as cricket, rugby and hockey are also likely to benefit from the new programme.

The scope of works will vary dependent on individual project requirements but will include design, supply and installation of modular buildings to provide new changing room and clubhouse facilities. It is part of a wider Government strategy to 2021 to improve ‘grassroots’ sporting facilities to encourage more community involvement.

Gleeds director Anthony Cork, added: “We are delighted to take a place on this framework with LK2.  Football is the national game and the biggest team sport in England. The Football Foundation has already overseen investment of over £1 billion in improving facilities since 2000, and Sport England has invested more than £70 million into sports facilities over the past four years.

“The sports sector is a key focus for Gleeds, and we are rapidly growing our expertise in this area so we are pleased to be part of an ongoing programme of works which will improve community sporting facilities across the north.”

Speaking of the win, Dale Lui, managing director of LK2, said: “We were keen to support Gleeds with this framework bid acting as a sub-consultant on the framework. Our firms have huge combined expertise in the sporting facilities sector. Together we will provide design and construction consultancy support and help improve large numbers of facilities in the north of England.

“This framework win is a huge achievement for LK2 and is a launch pad for our organisation, allowing us to work on a range of substantial projects. The framework provides the platform for us to now engage further with local authorities, national governing bodies of sports and similar organisations to help deliver the wider sport and leisure initiative outlined in Sport England’s Towards an Active Nation strategy.”

LK2 is recognised as the market leading architecture firm for sport and leisure with chartered architects and sports and leisure business advisors specialising in using sport and leisure as a vehicle to blend a range of sectors including mixed use developments, residential, retail and urban regeneration schemes.

The framework win is the culmination of LK2’s strategy over the last five years which saw the firm creating avenues into niche markets.

Dale added: “We will be able to provide high level strategic advice and guidance to private developers, land owners and asset managers alike on development and procurement routes - asset transfer, capital recipients from land sale, planning leverage and grant aid.

“This key framework win will lead to both Gleeds and LK2 becoming the ‘go to’ consultancies in line with our key partner organisations Sport England, Football Association, and the Football Foundation.”

Nilesh Mistry, director at Couch Perry Wilkes, said: “We are very proud to join our peers LK2, Gleeds and BSP on this framework, which is an outstanding example of industry-wide collaboration and will no doubt deliver some truly excellent projects. Grassroots football is one of the key cornerstones of our national sport and improving the facilities local clubs have access to will go a long way to enrich the lives of aspiring sportsmen and sportswomen across the UK.”

Paul Elphick, director at BSP Consulting, said: “BSP has wide experience of working on a range of football pitch and leisure centre sites, and we are proud to be involved in this framework to play a part in boosting the nation’s sporting and community facilities.”

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Julian Barlow

Julian Barlow
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