Transforming Education Through Sport: St Mark's CE Primary Schools £1.1M Sports Facility Development

When Morgan Sindall Construction sought a partner for their ambitious St Mark's CE Primary School development in Southampton, STM's expertise in sports facility construction made us the natural choice. This £1.1 million project, spanning two years, showcases our ability to handle complex, multi-phase developments while working around active school construction.

Project Overview:

- Total area: 8,140m²
- Duration: 2 years
- Value: £1.1+ million
- Scope: Multiple sports facilities including 3G football pitch, MUGA, and cricket facilities

Unique Challenges & Solutions:

1. Archaeological Considerations
In an unexpected turn of events, the project unveiled fascinating historical treasures. Archaeological investigations revealed late Iron Age-early Romano British period artifacts (circa 200BC-AD200), including 30kg of historical finds. Our team adapted the construction timeline to accommodate these important discoveries while maintaining project momentum.

2. Phased Development Approach
The project required careful coordination with the main school construction:

Phase 1:
- Ground clearing and preparation
- Stone foundation installation
- Drainage system implementation
- Kerb edging and initial macadam layer
- Future-proofing with floodlight and fencing infrastructure

Phase 2:
- Remedial works to temporary base
- Final 25mm macadam installation
- Installation of Desso IQ3-60 FIFA Quality accredited surface

Key Features:

3G Football Pitch:
- Desso IQ3-60 surface with diamond-profile fiber design
- FIFA Quality accredited
- 5m high twin bar fencing with super rebound
- 8 columns with 16 LED floodlight heads

Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA):
- Dimensions: 32m x 35m
- TigerTurf Evo Pro surface
- 15mm insitu shock pad
- Versatile design for multiple sports including hockey, tennis, futsal, and touch rugby

Additional Facilities:
- 4 cricket bays (25m x 8m) with nets
- Two-lane long jump pit with polymeric run-up track

Technical Excellence:
The choice of Desso's IQ3-60 range demonstrates our commitment to quality. This innovative surface features:
- Unique diamond-profile fiber design
- Enhanced durability through PPG (Polymer, Process, and Geometry) development
- Optimal performance characteristics for educational settings

Impact:
The completed facility now serves students aged 4-16 years, providing:
- Year-round sports access
- Multiple sport options
- Enhanced physical education opportunities
- Community sporting facilities

Looking Forward:
This project exemplifies STM's capability to:
- Manage large-scale educational developments
- Work effectively alongside other contractors
- Adapt to unexpected challenges
- Deliver high-quality, multi-purpose sports facilities

Are you considering a similar sports facility development for your educational institution? Contact STM for a consultation and discover how we can transform your vision into reality.

Book a free consultation: Contact us at info@stmworld.co.uk or call 01642 713555

Would you like me to focus on any particular aspect of this case study in more detail?