Facilities Case Study
Project: Aspire Gymnastics Club Type: Industrial unit conversion Cost: £190,000
Project overview
The club started looking for buildings of 10,000sqft2 in 2012, they originally hadn’t considered a larger building but having researched growth in other clubs
decided bigger was better from the offset. Negotiations started with agents and landlords and a change of use application was submitted in Autumn 2012 along with successful Inspired Facilities and Biffa funding applications.
The Project
After a lengthy appeal process change of use planning was granted in Spring 2013. By Autumn 2013 a 10 year lease with an initial three year phased increase was signed. Sport England funding and Biffa funding agreed and works commenced in Autumn 2013.
The huge space needed to be cleaned and painted from top to bottom. Heating and lighting was fitted and auxiliary rooms including a dance studio, changing rooms and a viewing area were kitted out. Parents, friends and family helped and sponsorship was secured for donations of items including carpeting.
A pit was excavated, tanked and an emergency pump fitted ready for the cladding. Over one weekend in February both clubs’ equipment was transported and fitted in the new site and classes began a day later. Over three years of planning and hard work had finally
paid off.
Impact
Growth from 140 to 500 members in 18 months.
• 14 new recreational classes.
• New activities including mens artistic, disability gymnastics, TeamGym, FreeG, trampoline and DMT.
• Competition focus on NDP grades.
• Six new Level 1 coaches, three Level 2, two freestyle and two disability modules support the growth and inclusive ethos of the club.
• Paid work now available.
• 10 volunteers recruited and retained through the Make a Difference scheme.
• Opportunities to perform at GymFusion events for the My Club teenagers.
Project cost
Club Funds £15,000. Capital Grants including Inspired Facilities, Biffa and British Gymnastics Facility Fund £154,000. Small and Get Equipped grants £19,000. FreeG funding £3,000.
Foam Pit £66,000 – Cladding and foam £22,000, excavation £4,500, construction £30,000, structural investigation £1,800
Equipment £42,000 – Sprung floor, tri-bond floor, A bars, beams, tumble track, safety matting, mini apparatus, modular apparatus and FreeG equipment
Gas £16,000 – Gas boiler, radiators and installation £6,600, gas hot air heating with destratification fans £9,500
Electrical £18,000 – Internal and external lighting £10,000, internal and external electrical works £8,000
Changing & Toilets £4,000 – Installation and kit out £4,000
Improvements £2,000 – Wind lobby to increase energy efficiency
General £17,000 – Coach education courses, disability specific equipment and GfA equipment
AV £9,000 – Six audio visual installations and six cameras
Set Up £15,000 – Initial set-up costs, legal fees
Running costs
£/month
£/month
Service
£800
Insurance
£250
Utilities
£800
Staffing
£3,000
Lease
£3,000
The future
Aspire is looking to increase their daytime usage with more schools, disability and community groups using the facility. As the workforce increases, the addition of new sessions during the weekend will further increase the club’s capacity.
Top tips
• Have a business plan that is clear for stakeholders to understand.
• Know your members and parents; many will be willing to help support your project & have invaluable experiences and skills that may be helpful before, during and after the project is complete.
• Appoint professionals to ensure there are limited hold ups during the planning and works associated with your project.
• Seek advice on the best ways to maximise your facility usage.
Do you require support with a facility project?
Contact us at: participation@british-gymnastics.org
