FSM Stadium Construction
Making A Community Hub Out Of A Theatre Of Dreams
By Mark Andrews, Managing Director, Commercial at Sir Robert McAlpine.
Stadium projects are frequently subject to a host of unique challenges. But aside from the nuances of time pressure and supply chain security, these venues no longer exist in a vacuum of 90 minutes at 3pm on a Saturday, but are increasingly expected to be concert arenas and community hubs.
As well as this mixed-use application, stadium projects are also more frequently acting as catalysts for social value creation and local economic impact. This value creation is also now often running concurrently with a wider property led regeneration of the local area.
When modern stadia are conceived as mixed use civic assets
rather than standalone venues, the way that
they interact with the local community for sustained economic activity
is crucial. For the greatest success
of a project, consideration needs to be afforded even from the earliest discussions of a stadium construction project to the wider benefit on economic activity, social value and property.
Collaboration With Community Is Key
A stadium can anchor new districts, support community infrastructure and provide a longstanding boost to local economy, but this requires deliberate and targeted preparation. Early transparent collaboration with the client on a build is vital to ensure that the intention of a project is fulfilled. Liaising with local authorities and community stakeholders is essential to maximising this impact, and ensuring that local needs, skills development and employment opportunities are embedded from the outset through every stage of the project.
Strong community buy-in is fundamental to ensure this impact is put in place, and having the local community onside not only strengthens a project’s legacy, but also supports the long- term operability of the venue. In other words, if the opinion of
a community is strongly
involved in the course of development, then fans will continue pouring in on matchday and the venue will remain an attractive destination to the local community.
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