The Brief:
Bude Park playing fields in North Hull are a popular facility providing for junior and senior football teams. The challenge was to address the problem associated with waterlogged pitches and no changing or toilet facilities. The scheme aimed at enabling all year-round sports provision.
The Solution:
We worked with Hull City Council and construction partners Houlton to develop and deliver the project, which was partly grant funded by the Football Foundation.
Improvements included the creation of a new changing pavilion providing modern, comfortable changing rooms for mixed teams, as well as referee facilities, toilets, showers and a kitchen. Works to the football pitches included the installation of ground drainage and swale to assist with the drainage of the pitches.
Car park capacity was also increased, with improved access including new motorcycle bays, cycle stands and EV charging points.
The Challenges:
The big challenge for this project was the weather. The start of the project was delayed due to wet weather, as heavy machinery couldn’t function on site. This was then followed by an exceptionally dry summer, which had an impact on the new grass pitches and establishment of the playing surface.
There were also issues with utility connections for the pavilion, with utilities companies being slow to respond to connection requests.
The Results:
The completed project enables more of the local community to get involved in grassroots sporting activities, improving both mental wellbeing and physical health.
Works undertaken in draining the pitches should assist the all year round availability of the pitches.
The completed pavillion at Bude Park playing fields