Blog: SECBE Awards 2021 finalist - Sevenoaks Community Centre

11 May 2021

sponsored by Fladgate

Sevenoaks Community Centre (submitted by BJF Group)

Building Project of the Year under £10m SECBE Award 2021 finalist

BJF Group has created a newly refurbished, remodelled and extended facility, that is unrecognisable from the original 1970’s Sevenoaks Community Centre, without the need to demolish the old building. Not only did this save on a considerable amount of waste but this approach also saved money for the council and reduced noise and other disruption for neighbouring businesses, residents and the children’s day nursery which shares the site.

Through design development, they were able to design out some of the riskier elements of the project, most notably considerably reducing the time required for working at height by maintaining the existing roof. This was made possible by close collaboration with their roofing supply chain and the client’s design team. A further benefit to this was reduced waste and a reduction in program time.

Other challenges encountered and overcome during this project included the need to develop a solution for stormwater runoff avoiding the use of the public sewer, collaborating remotely and ensuring the integrity of the existing structure during the strip out.

Feedback from key stakeholders includes positive comments from the Mayor of Sevenoaks and Town Council Chief Executive as well as members of the public and subcontractors.

Bringing Sevenoaks Town Council’s vision to reality during a global pandemic required a high level of engagement with and collaboration between all stakeholders.

The new Bat & Ball Centre is already proving to be an important community asset as it is currently in use as a Covid testing facility and will eventually go on to host wedding receptions, community groups and other activities that bring the people of Sevenoaks together.

Key facts:

• Delivering a complex refurbishment project on time and on budget with high levels of stakeholder satisfaction despite the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
• Making significant reductions in the environmental impact of the project both during the build and whilst the building is in use through effective design development.
• Minimising potential risks associated with time spent working at height as well as significantly reducing waste by working closely with their roofing supply chain to retain the existing roof.

• Client: Sevenoaks Town Council

About the Building Project of the Year under £10m Award: 

Project of the Year delivers outstanding outcomes for all those involved in a construction project.  It showcases the benefits achieved through the application of many of the principles described in the other award categories. More info.

Find out who wins at the Constructing Excellence SECBE Awards 2021 Summit & Awards Ceremony on Thurs 1st July 2021. Free attendance.