Knight, Kavanagh & Page (KKP) has been commissioned to deliver a detailed Sport Leisure Strategy for Northampton Borough Council (NBC) and Northamptonshire County Council (NCC).

With a clear focus on sport and leisure, the aims of the study are to:

• Identify strategic need and key requirements for facilities in Northampton. 
• Examine the potential to develop a major new sports facility.
• Consider what to do with the existing stock of ageing facilities (including school pools).

The study will be delivered in three main stages:

• Stage 1: Evaluation - to determine the supply of, and demand for, facilities in the Borough.
• Stage 2: The Strategy - to set out the Councils' short, medium and long-term strategy for facility provision.
• Stage 3: Business Plan - to develop a 10 year plan for a major new flagship sports facility for Northampton.

Northampton is entering a period of significant change. It is identified as a major planned growth area for the East Midlands Region and as such will see the population of the Borough and the surrounding area increase by 50% from 200,000 to 300,000 by 2026. It is, therefore, vital that the strategy reflects and responds to the key population growth stages to enable Northampton to retain a balance in supply and demand for sports facilities over this period.

A number of key issues will be considered in the course of the study; the need to identify what is to be developed or redeveloped and where plus a proper definition of 'community use' and how facility programmes and access arrangements should look in this context. The study will incorporate a particular focus upon how school facilities (new and existing) are programmed for the benefit of the whole community. The commission will also consider the role of emerging adrenalin sports within Northampton.

David McHendry, Principal Consultant at KKP will lead the work. He brings thorough knowledge of wet, dry, indoor and outdoor sports facilities and extensive background delivering detailed needs analyses, feasibilities and strategic consultation for a range of different agencies.

We also have strong contemporary understanding of the national, regional and local context within which this study will be undertaken and bring supplementary local knowledge of facilities and services as a result of our recent work on the feasibility study for new sports facilities for the University of Northampton.

Company capacity in this field and the positive outcomes that emerge from the Company's work are clearly demonstrated by recent client testimonials:

"KKP has done a really good job producing sound evidence with reasoned logic. We look forward to working with you to animate the facilities strategy so everyone has a clear vision of what the future could look like." (Alison Baker, Manager of Sport, Bath and North East Somerset Council)

"Consultants engaged effectively with senior managers from the Vice Chancellor downward, through to operational staff. From a strong knowledge base, they challenged current conventions and developed a range of ambitious but practical solutions..." (Alison Odell, Director of Sport, University of Manchester)

For more information, contact David McHendry, Principal Consultant - david.mchendry@kkp.co.uk