VALE OF AYLESBURY ATHLETIC CLUB
PROPOSED NEW CLUB HUT AT
STOKE MANDEVILLE ATHLETICS TACK
The need for a new Club Hut
It is accepted that the existing VoAAC Club Hut now has a very limited life.
Consequently, there has been no significant financial investment in improving it although VoAAC has carried out certain modifications to increase its usage.
The Club Hut has no running water, toilets or effective heating.
The Club’s management is concerned about the child protection issues involved in young athletes having to gain access to the toilets in the Stadium especially in the dark during Autumn/Winter months.
It is also debateable whether the current Club Hut fully complies with Health and Safety Regulations and Fire Regulations.
Ideally, the adjoining Hut used for the storage of equipment should be a lot closer to the track.
The alternatives to building a new Club Hut
1) It is VoAAC’s understanding that BWSF/Wheelpower does not currently have any plans to build a Grandstand that could include permanent accommodation for VoAAC such as the facilities at the Hemel Hempstead (Jarman Park) Athletics Track or the Oxford (Horspath) Athletics Track.
2) VoAAC is not aware of any suitable alternative accommodation in the Stadium itself and, in any event, there may be child protection issues involved in sharing accommodation in the Stadium.
3) Alternatively, the existing VoAAC Club Hut could be renovated/rebuilt but it is unclear whether this option would conflict with BWSF’s long term Development Plan for the site.
Legal Security for a new VoAAC Club Hut
VoAAC accepts the proposition that, even if BWSF had the finance available, BWSF cannot finance a new Club Hut which is essentially a project for the benefit of VoAAC and able bodied athletes.
Therefore, VoAAC is proposing to finance the whole project and will indemnify BWSF against any financial liability. However, in order to enable it to raise the necessary funding, VoAAC will require the legal security of a Sub-Lease of the site from BWSF for a term of at least 50 years.
VoAAC also accepts that it will require the consent of NHS Estates (the freeholder) before it can proceed with the project.
Benefits of a new Club Hut to VoAAC
1) a modern facility with services to be specifically used for training (weights and body conditioning), business (Management & Coaching Meetings) and social & fundraising events.
2) the resolution of the existing child protection/security issues
3) the facility will enable the Club to develop by making it easier to recruit new members and to organise specialist seminars
4) the facility will enhance the Club’s profile in the local community
Benefits of a new Club Hut to BWSF
1) the facility will enhance the athletics track and will provide a modern facility for Wheelpower’s 2012 initiatives
2) the facility will provide modern accommodation for officials at BWSF events
3) the facility will provide modern trackside accommodation for drugs testing and first aid treatment
4) the facility will include trackside accommodation for the storage of equipment
5) the facility could be used by Wheelpower for trackside training events and seminars
6) the facility could be used as an additional Meeting Room
7) the facility will enable BWSF to demolish the 2 current Huts and redevelop the site
Management of new Club Hut
On the basis that VoAAC will finance the project, VoAAC proposes that it should own the new Club Hut and be responsible for its management in accordance with the conditions agreed in the proposed Sub-Lease.
VoAAC therefore specifically envisages that Leisure Connection or any successor management contractor will not be directly involved with the management of the new Club Hut.
The arrangements agreed between BWSF and Leisure Connection for the use of the facility for bookings other than VoAAC events would be safeguarded in the Sub-Lease.
Preferred Site
VoAAC’s preferred site is adjacent to the 80 metres point in the finishing straight.
It is considered that this site provides the most flexibility and is less affected by the adjoining NHS Estates’ flats.
The cost of connecting the new Club Hut to services would be less expensive for the preferred site than the alternative site adjacent to the finish line which obviously has certain limitations.
The preferred site is also better so far as the VoAAC’s child protection issues are concerned because it can ensure that people only access the athletics track through the Club Hut.
It should also be possible to share the new car parking area currently being planned to be adjacent to the new tennis courts.
Whilst enhancing the athletics track, the VoAAC’s preferred site also means that BWSF can keep it’s long term options open with regard to a Grandstand or additional indoor training facilities.
The outline and specification of the proposed building
VoAAC’s preference is not to spend valuable funds on Architect’s plans and specifications until BWSF has agreed “in principle” to the project and a successful site survey has been carried out.
If on 17 January 2007 the BWSF Executive Council agrees “in principle” to the project, VoAAC will immediately have a site survey carried out and will then seek a resolution at its AGM on 13 March 2007 for an Architect to be instructed.
At this stage, VoAAC envisages that the new Club Hut would be about the same size as the existing Club Hut and would include:-
1) a reception/spectator area
2) a kitchen
3) toilets
4) a Meeting Room/Officials Office
5) a First Aid/Drug Testing Room
6) a weights room for VoAAC athletes
7) accommodation for the storage of equipment including BWSF’s competition equipment
Finance
In view of the opportunities which 2012 presents and its previous involvement with the redevelopment and financing of the Stadium and Athletics Track, VoAAC is proposing to initially seek funding from Sport England and Aylesbury Vale District Council. If it is successful with these initial initiatives, VoAAC will then seek matching funding from other grant providers in addition to undertaking a major fund raising exercise. It is envisaged that the project will cost between £400K and £500K.
Conclusion
On the basis of the research which has already been carried out, VoAAC has concluded that it cannot proceed with this project until it has obtained BWSF’s agreement “in principle”.
VoAAC would welcome the opportunity of making a presentation to BWSF’s Executive Council at a later date which would include projected images of the proposed new Club Hut and details of specification and size etc.
VoAAC believes that it has addressed all the initial concerns and issues involved but would also welcome any alternative proposals or suggestions which the BWSF Executive Council may wish to make.
VoAAC accepts that this is an extremely ambitious and challenging project but believes that its successful completion will be mutually beneficial to all concerned.
John Gibson
Chairman
Vale of Aylesbury Athletic Club
15 January 2007.