Capita Symonds consultant on £30m eco sports hub

Capita Symonds has won the contract to act as consultant on the £30m Orford Park community sports hub.

Warrington Borough Council has given final planning permission for the scheme which promises to be the UK’s first sustainable community sports centre.

Orford Park aims to transform 50 acres of a former landfill site as well as enhancing the facilities of an adjacent Victorian community park.

Capita’s leisure and project management teams have established a framework for effective project management.

The scheme includes a number of features that will establish Orford Park as a unique facility.

Health and leisure will be integrated with many other Council services on site, with a major focus on skills development and capacity-building within the community.

The planned presence of a commercial retailer on site also aim to provide regeneration opportunities.

Additionally, the extended site masterplan includes the complete replacement of William Beamont School in 2012 under the Building Schools for the Future programme, and full integration with the redevelopment of Warrington Collegiate.

Simon Molden, director at Capita Symonds, said: “This innovative scheme will encourage participation and social cohesion across the community through the provision of a broad range of activities, all underpinned by healthy living opportunities.

“It will also play a key role in addressing local unemployment by improving lifelong learning as well as the local skills base.”

Orford Park is expected to have two million visitors each year.

The centre is scheduled to open in November 2011.