Multi Million Pound Project Takes Big Step Forward

Trust Thamesmead's multi-million pound Youth Leisure Zone project has taken a big step forward with the completion of the project's capital delivery plan and the release of some exciting images of what the facility will look like when it is completed.

Since late February, when the community development agency received the fantastic news that they had been awarded a £5m myplace grant, the team has been working hard to develop the project proposal in greater detail with the production of three key pieces of work - a capital delivery plan, a business plan and a draft partnership agreement.

Project Manager Richard Fishlock explained: “The capital delivery plan includes fully developed designs, technical reports, costings and delivery proposals and was led by Saville Jones Architects, who are also working with the Trust on their other multi million pound project, Sporting Club Thamesmead.

“The business plan covers in detail the background to the project, its future management and operation, financial forecasts, risk analysis, marketing and promotion and monitoring and evaluation whilst the draft partnership agreement formalises the delivery of the project with our key service providers - the Cave, Archway Project, Thamesmead Gym, Thamesmead YMCA, TYAP, Theatre Street and Bexley and Greenwich Councils.”

All this information - some 600 pages in total - has now been sent off to the Big Lottery Fund for their assessment over the coming months and a pledge has been given that all funded schemes will receive a final decision in February next year.

Richard said: “The project has developed enormously, and we're really pleased with the progress that has been made with Bexley and Greenwich Councils and our key service providers.

“The designs have also taken a big step forward, and really show what an amazing facility the Youth Leisure Zone will be. The work doesn't stop here however - we expect further discussions with myplace as part of their ongoing assessment, and there's still a lot to do in terms of finalising our partnership agreement, but the excitement surrounding the project is building all the time, particularly with Thamesmead's young people.”