Contractor Beard has started work on a new sports hall development for Richmond upon Thames School.

The start of construction works was marked by a groundbreaking event on the site, where representatives from the school, local council and key project partners signed commemorative bricks that will be laid into the substructure work.

The £5.9 million project designed by ECE Architecture will see Beard's Guildford office build the two-storey, 1,357 m2 facility. In addition to the multi-use sports hall on the first floor, construction will include ground floor changing rooms, toilet and shower facilities, studio spaces and a reception area. The finished building will also include a living roof to support biodiversity, as well as photovoltaic solar panels.

Work has already begun on the building’s steel frame, which will feature external cladding to match the existing campus. The project is set to complete next summer, ready for the next intake of students.

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It will be the first permanent sports facility in the school’s history, replacing the temporary buildings currently used. The building will also be used by Clarendon School and by the local community, with its development helping to meet the necessary conditions for more affordable housing in the area.

Working alongside Alcove Architecture and structural engineers Crouch Waterfall, Beard has carefully planned the project to maintain safety and limit disruption for the school’s students. While the site is far enough away to not impact day-to-day operations, Beard has implemented hoardings around the build and utilises a dedicated entrance. As part of it scheduling of works, Beard has liaised with the school to minimise noise or distraction during peak times such as exam season.

The project follows another start on site for Beard at the very same campus. The Guildford office is working with Richmond upon Thames College on a £10 million project to build a three-storey, state-of-the-art STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths) centre.

Tom Jenkinson, Beard director for Guildford said: "The new sports centre marks an exciting new chapter, not just for Richmond upon Thames School, but for the entire community, and Beard is thrilled to be able to play our part. Our focus on quality and delivery, particularly in the education sector, as well as maintaining strong relationships with all stakeholders will stand us in good stead during this development."