Since our last update, there has been steady progress on the Pavilion Project, and we would like to share some positive news with members, supporters and the wider community.
Planning Conditions Approved
We are pleased to confirm that all pre-commencement planning conditions have now been approved. This is an important milestone for the project and means we can move forward to the next stage and begin preparing for work on site.
A huge thank you goes to Jake Choules and Paul Jones, who have dedicated considerable time and effort into pulling together the detailed information required to secure these approvals. Their hard work has been instrumental in keeping the project moving forward. We’d also like to thank DMA architects once again who have been incredibly supportive in getting us to this stage, providing their services in-kind.
Ground Investigations
The next phase of the project will involve carrying out a series of ground investigations. This work is essential in helping us understand exactly what structural requirements will be needed for the new pavilion.
The investigations will determine the ground bearing pressures that can be applied to the building’s foundations, allowing engineers to establish the most suitable foundation size, type and depth. The ground will also be assessed for its composition, plasticity and any potential contamination issues.
Alongside this, testing will be undertaken to assess soakaway performance, water retention requirements, drainage arrangements and any associated tank systems. Together, these investigations will provide the information needed to make informed decisions about the building’s structure and the materials required.
We are extremely grateful to Dan Hawke and Nick Heard, who have kindly offered their support with machinery and site works. Their generosity will help reduce costs at this important stage of the project and demonstrates the fantastic community spirit that continues to drive this project forward.
Engineering and Building Control
Once the ground investigations have been completed, we will engage structural engineers to develop the detailed design requirements for the pavilion. This work will enable us to understand the full structural specification of the building and move closer to producing a robust and reliable cost estimate for the project.
Following the engineering work, the final plans will be submitted to Building Control. Achieving Building Control approval will provide a much clearer understanding of the total build cost and allow us to progress confidently into the next stages of planning and fundraising.
The Funding Challenge Ahead
While the project continues to make progress, the reality is that the club’s current funds remain significantly below the level required to begin the full construction phase.
Establishing a confirmed project cost is therefore a critical step. Once we have a clearer understanding of the final build budget, we will be in a better position to pursue external funding opportunities and grant schemes. Grants for capital sports club builds are few and far between and we will need to look at a wide range of funding methods, including donations, loans and section 106.
Can You Help?
As we move into the next phase of the project, we are looking for support, especially with our fundraising efforts. Securing the funding required to deliver the pavilion will be a significant challenge, and additional support from members and the wider community could make a real difference.
In particular, we would welcome help with:
- Identifying and applying for grant funding opportunities.
- Organising and running club fundraising events and initiatives.
- Approaching local businesses/individuals for sponsorship and support.
- Speaking with individuals who may be interested in contributing to the project or helping us make new connections.
You do not need to have previous fundraising experience. Whether you can offer specialist knowledge, local contacts, organisational skills or simply some time and enthusiasm, we would love to hear from you.
If fundraising is not your thing but you have another skill, knowledge or expertise that would be beneficial to the project then please get in touch – thorvertonccdevelopment@gmail.com
As always, thank you to everyone who continues to support the Pavilion Project. We look forward to providing further updates as work progresses.
