CASE STUDY – Moredon Sports Hub

Spadeoak was appointed as the contractor of choice to complete the construction and surfacing of a large cycle track in Moredon, Swindon. The huge 1mile long asphalt cycle track based at Moredon Sports Hub can be adjusted to create 8 different tracks for racing, the track area replaced what was a grassland to be constructed into the asphalt track with racing straights, hairpins and ponds with surrounding floodlighting. The entire project also included the construction of a new pavilion building, 3G sports pitch, pump track, children learn to ride track, car park, with EV charging stations and access & egress routes.

As the appointed principal contractor Spadeoak, working with Swindon Borough Council and planners DB3 created a programme of works for the build, this ensured all contractors would be able to work on the project without causing disruption or delays to each others programme, nor residents, the local school or the on-site and to remain open croquet club, which would also require access through the working area during the day.

Utilising years of experience by Spadeoaks’ site supervisors and contracts directors in these types of projects, realistic milestones set by the council and the experience of our supply chain partners ensured we built a realistic and approved programme that please and worked for all parties. During our weekly mobilisation team meetings, attended by Spadeoak Operations, Logistics, Commercial Management and key supply chain partners we ensured that every aspect of the contract was fully understood and all eventualities are planned for, preventing any delays or disruption on site.

Due to the nature of the site multiple surveys had to be completed including bat and badger surveys, ecological, tree, transport and drainage surveys, site investigation surveys and arboricultural impact assessments, these continually required monitoring during the construction phase. Spadeoak was able to create a solution to the council that ensured the local croquet club, used on a daily basis, could remain open during the works. This incorporated an temporary path building and gated access to the area ensuring the safety of the public using the club and segregating the working area from the public footpath that was also used by local dog walkers.

The start of the works was even planned around the initial upcoming school holidays, restricting works closer to the school grounds for the first 2 months ensured minimal disruption, especially during the schools busy and critical exam period. Works closer to the school grounds, which included heavy machinery, concrete drilling and excavation then began during the summer holidays and was completed prior to the students return for the new school year.

The beginning of the programme was dedicated to earthworks, the construction of a temporary car park for site staff with welfare units, water and electric supply. The initial groundworks required the muck-away of soil from the top of the large field to the bottom and the creation of the five ponds. This would later be utilised to raise the level of certain areas to the required surface level.

Beginning of the project and our biggest challenge

Due to the scale of the project spanning roughly a programme of 10 months, meticulous planning had to be complete to ensure the project could progress efficiently and effectively, our biggest challenge within the project was the challenging weather, heavy downpours and snow cause the brown site to become challenging in manoeuvring and completing excavation and muck-away works. The scale of the site and planned programme ensured alternative measures were put in place by our site teams should these challenges occur, moving other elements of works programmed forward could be completed in alternative areas such as the car park construction as opposed to the track build or tree planting to prevent delays to programme.

Our civils teams installed fencing around the track area, developed a topsoil for seeding and planting trees that we would return to complete closer to the end of the overall project, installed lighting columns and drainage with access chambers and manhole covers to the track and car park across the site.
The construction of the track surfacing began early 2024 as Spadeoak laid circa 800 tonnes of base asphalt on top of a type 1 material, laying the foundations of the cycle track. To minimise disruption to site and ensure teams could continue to work at the lower end of the track the surface course was scheduled for the following month to allow access for vans and other transport to drive on the base course of the track rather than the surface course to reach the bottom half of the track for the finishing elements such as planting. Spadeoak surfacing teams returned the following month to lay the remaining circa 400 tonnes of 6mm wearing course asphalt to the track.

Following the construction of the cycle track, our teams moved outwards to complete the access, egress, footpaths and car park areas of the new sports hub.

Spadeoak surfacing teams completed the base, binder and surface course to the new 7,500m²+ car park for the track and 3G Sports pitch for 191 vehicles, as well as children’s flat learn-to-ride track and BMX pump track.

The car park includes EV charging bays for up to 8 vehicles, with further infrastructure in place for an additional 8 EV charging bays.

The fantastic pavilion building will home the Moredon Parish Council, with a large canteen area, reception, multiple offices and meeting rooms, welfare facilities and fantastic views out across the sports hub.

The full size 3G pitch on site can play an 11-a-side match or can be separated for 2 smaller pitches. The 3G pitch uses Tigerturf’s FIFA approved artificial turf, that not only replicate the look and feel of natural grass but also offer enhanced durability, resilience, and playability. For the players this means effortlessly holding the ball, more control over the ball roll, with complete movement in sliding tackles and other impressive skills.

Successful Completion

Our experience and business size, that helped Spadeoak secure this project, ensured plant and equipment requirements for the Task Orders (TO) did not become an issue. Planning and progress updates ensured that our plant and procurement division had sufficient time to allocate the resources to the contract to complete successfully.

The project was completed to the delight of not only Swindon Borough Council, but the local residents, the school and all stakeholders. The site is now actively used on a daily basis by the local community to improve fitness, mental health and the well-being of all.

Councillor Jim Robins, Leader of Swindon Borough Council said “it’s a brilliant facility for the town and amazing for Swindon to offer our community, its important for us to have fantastic sporting facilities that people can use, to get fit and improve mental well-being, we are building a fairer Swindon, a better Swindon and a greener Swindon, we want people to get active and get involved in all of the sports”.

Sport England, Sport and Participation Director of British Cycling, Amy Gardner said “I am really pleased to see Swindon has benefited from funding following the The Great Yorkshire Road Championships. This sporting hub represents a collaborative effort, which is inclusive and accessible for everyone to enjoy, driving participation.”

Chairman of Central Swindon North Parish Council, Councillor Kevin Small said “A fantastic sporting hub offering cycling, BMX track and learn to ride, croquet, cricket and football, all in one facility, we hope tens of thousands of people will gain the benefit of using these facilities”.