BAM has been appointed by the Forest of Dean District Council to develop and build a new leisure, enterprise and education hub at Five Acres in Gloucestershire.
The project will be completed in phases. BAM’s €10.53m contract is just for the first phase of works which will be focusing on the construction of a new multi-purpose four-court sports hall and performance space. A second phase will include the development of a 3G artificial pitch, sports pavilion and tennis courts. There will be no swimming facilities in the first two phases but following consultation with local residents, businesses and sports clubs, plans were amended to include space for a pool at some future time. The existing Speedwell building will also be repurposed to create dry-side sports and leisure facilities.
Pick Everard, Forest of Dean District Council's design consultants, and BAM will work together to establish the final design plans for Five Acres before a planning application is submitted and construction can begin.
Justin Price, Construction Director at BAM, said: “We are committed to working with local businesses wherever possible and we can’t wait to work with partners and the community to develop these incredible facilities for the residents of the Forest of Dean.”
Cabinet Member for Levelling Up, Cllr Johnathan Lane said: “Since taking control of the site in early 2022, the council have been hard at work ensuring that the initial demolition of buildings on the site, as well as the design and planning of the new facility, were completed on time and with the engagement of the local community, organisations and sports clubs. We’re now really excited to move on to the next stage of the project, appointing BAM to bring the design and build to fruition and to deliver the quality facilities needed by people in the local community."
