20 December 2021
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The Government's Inspiring Active Places (IAP) strategy is now progressing at pace. The plans for extending Oakfield Sports Centre have been amended and were resubmitted this month and will go back before the planning committee early next year.
Work to redevelop Springfield is due to start in the first quarter of 2022, with the aim to have the new gym facilities open to Active members from July 2022. Improvements will also be undertaken to enhance the spectator experience and capacity at the stadium, which is vital for the development of football in the island and the progression of Jersey Bulls through the English League structures.
The IAP project team recently conducted a rigorous open procurement process to appoint the external consultants required to help the internal team take forward the ambitions of the Inspiring Active Places strategy which was launched in March 2021 and outlines a £100m investment in new sports facilities over the next 10 years.
Following competitive, open tendering processes, the following professional advisory appointments have been made:
- Project Managers: Jersey-based company Colin Smith Partnership
- Cost Consultants: Gardiner and Theobald LLP
- Sport and Leisure consultants: Knight Kavanagh and Page (KKP)
The procurement of an Integrated Design Team (IDT), which will provide the Government with a single point of responsibility for all of the architectural and engineering design and assurance services required, is currently live with submissions closing later this month. An award of the IDT remains on-track for first quarter of 2022.
The first projects which will be taken forward under IAP in January are Le Rocquier Sport and Wellbeing Hub and a feasibility study to create a Sport and Community Wellbeing Park at FB Fields. The study will explore how the site could be improved for sport and community recreation. Both these projects will require detailed consultation with a wide range of stakeholders which will commence in early January.
The purpose of the consultation is to inform the scope and design of each project, which will then underpin the designs. The target is to submit a planning application on Le Rocquier before the end of next year. Funding has been identified in the Government Plan in 2022 to allow this detailed consultation and design work to take place.
Assistant Minister for Economic Development with responsibility for Sport, Deputy Hugh Raymond said: "I'm delighted with how work is progressing with Inspiring Active Places and I'm excited to see work commence next year at both Springfield and, assuming we get planning approval, at Oakfield.
"The recent appointments to the IAP team demonstrate the Government's commitment to deliver our plans to build new state-of-the-art sports and wellbeing hubs across the Island and to transform FB Fields into a space to benefit both the local community and sports teams.
"I am particularly pleased to see local consultants successful in winning work when competing against non-local organisations whose pedigree and experience are often stronger in the sport and leisure sector.
"The Government is making a considerable investment in sport and physical activity through the construction works at Oakfield and Springfield and further feasibility and design work for IAP in 2022. This is a major statement of intent towards delivering the priority of improving islanders mental and physical health"
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