Artificial Surfaces
“ A refurbished multi-use area
particularly important in businesses where cash flow and finances are tight. Private sports clubs these days do not have large residual reserves of cash and need to plan in the long term for updating and upgrading facilities. As you will know, sports governing bodies are a useful source of advice and funding for when this sort of work is planned, however there can be conditions to the funding that may prove onerous or may render you unsuccessful in any funding application.
As a result, it is realistic to expect you to have to fund some or all of the refurbishment process within a time frame that is related to the points already made, i.e. sound construction and competent maintenance.
When considering replacement funds
needed, it is worthwhile seeking some independent objective advice as to the sort of costs that may be involved in any refurbishment or replacement process. This will give you a good angle on the actual monies needed. There have been instances that I have come across where clients have approached the market for costs but, depending upon who you speak to, there can be significant variation in budget estimates and in proposed design solutions and options.
It is also worthwhile remembering that, when replenishment or refurbishment comes along, it does afford you an opportunity to upgrade facilities as well as simply replace them. This means that budgets may change and need to reflect the constant improvement that we have in both materials
There really is no gain in some short term cost saving, as this will cause long term pain and a significant decrease in the period to refurbish or replace the facility
and functionality of our sporting landscapes. I would always advise a client to make some provision for this within any projections of future finances needed.
Costs and Budgeting
It is essential that, when planning a refurbishment, a thorough investigation of the existing design solution, site conditions and future client requirements is carried out. This may manifest itself in a fairly simple way forward, especially if the original designers are involved and the requirements of the site have essentially not changed. It is likely, in this instance, that a cost effective refurbishment can be carried out in a timely manner with no significant impact or uplift in time or budgets required. However, in our experience, a more detailed investigation is very often required as the original design solution plans, drawings etc. may not be available and modern engineering tasks will need to be implemented.
As clubs and schools etc. evolve, so the requirements of the end user may change as well, and it is worthwhile sitting down with project team members to discuss future requirements. In my previous articles, I mention storage areas, warm up areas and detox facilities etc. which should be considered in any new design.
Once the full requirements of the site are known and a detailed site investigation carried out, then an objective rough order budget can be put together for the replenishment works. This may be the trigger for funding applications etc., so plenty of time should be allowed to carry out this process and put together any finances required. I have known this to take a couple of years.
Once a rough order budget has been agreed, then a more detailed design solution
PC OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2015 I 103
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