Background/methodology

An imaginative use of resources provides a new slant on the extended schools agenda and creation of a real community facility for the Tile Hill area of Coventry.

Coventry Sports Foundation's proposal for a new Midlands Sport Centre will provide first class facilities for disability sport, the adjoining Westwood Community School, the local community, youth activities and replace a centre that is nearing the end of its natural life cycle.

A package approach

KKP's business planning model, consultation services, ‘fund finder' package and bid writing have all assisted the development of proposals.

Business planning

The business plan provides an in-depth examination of all aspects of cost and income, including, for example, the:

• Variation in sports hall, gym and swimming pool usage by time of day and day of week.
• Charges for different user groups.
• Staffing and utility costs.
• Income generated through use.
• Capitalised social value of discounted rates for disadvantaged user groups.

Consultation services

Extensive consultation gathered the views ranging from the school's headteacher, staff and pupils to disabled groups currently making use of the existing facilities, from the youth services to local residents and from the police service to Sport England.

The consistent message from all quarters is one of support for all aspects of the proposed development.

Fund finding and bid support

KKP identified potential sources of funding from more than eighty different schemes and recommended a series of options. The company then prepared a bid to the Community Investment Fund on behalf of the CSF. The bid was successful and attained maximum funding for the trust. It has been cited by Sport England as a model of best practice