Education Projects

The Croft

Sports Pavilion

Following a successful tender bid we were contracted by Harrow Council to part demolish an existing sports pavilion and provide a new sports facility in its place which would become the new permanent home of Harrow Amateur Boxing Club.

Scope of Works
Our responsibility included full design and build (architectural, structural, mechanical and electrical) including the building regulations submission and planning changes.

Our works included all aspects of the build from site clearance and sub structure through to decorations and fit out ready for use as a community centre and boxing gym.

The construction of the new building included a new steel frame with solid masonry, insulation and render to the external walls. The roof was designed with a higher raised section over the main hall incorporating large roof lights to maximise space and light over the main boxing ring areas. The roof covering was provided by a single ply membrane covering falling to box gutters with Upvc soffit and fascia finishes.

Internally our fit out consisted of solid paint grade masonry walls, plasterboard walls, m/f ceiling grid, vinyl flooring with coved skirting, solid timber doors, high pressure laminate toilet and shower cubicles, Twyfords sanitary ware, closed system boiler and cylinders.

Our external works included, disabled ramps, pathways, landscaping and connection of new drains in public path.

Challenges

This project presented some very significant challenges, both in construction but also in protection of the public. The main challenges being
1) The proximity to local schools and housing: The site was located directly adjacent to the main pedestrian route through the Croft public park and became extremely busy each morning and evening at school run times. It was also next door to a play park presenting significant risk to pedestrians. We controlled this risk by

• Employing strict delivery times outside of school runs.
• Using qualified banks men to supervise any traffic movement through the park
• Erecting suitable hoarding to prevent child access to the site
• Good use of pedestrian and vehicle signage

2) Programme: We took possession of the site on 19th December 2014, the local amateur boxing club was without a permanent home for some time and therefore our client required this project to be completed by 20th April 2015. The time of year added additional pressure to an already tight programme however we were able to complete within timescale by

• Using directly employed labour for the majority of the works therefore having good control of time and quality
• Using temporary protection when needed to protect the works from the weather
• Thorough pre start planning with the client and our suppliers
• Undertaking the design responsibility “in house” and designing within agreed budgets.
• Good partnering with our client on all cost, design and construction issues. Informal meetings were held weekly with formal monthly site meetings.

Conclusion
This has been in both our view and our clients view a very successful project, delivered on time and to budget. Since the completion of this project we have secured two other projects with the same client.

Client Comments
BMR commenced working with Harrow in December 2014. To date they have showed good professionalism. They have been quick to respond to any queries or concerns. They have carried out the works to a high standard using their own labour force and a good base of local suppliers. They have at all times provided good design solutions and significant community benefit. We will without doubt consider them for future works.

Camille James – Capital Programme Manager Harrow Council