A look back at our feasibility study for the International Sports Village – Iskandar, Malaysia, by KKP’s Chief Executive, John Eady

 

Feasibility studies are a large part of KKP’s business and we have undertaken many throughout the UK; which have led to some of the country’s key sports facilities. We have also been very lucky to have provided our expertise and advice to clients in China and Malaysia.

 

In 2014, KKP, working for Khazanah Nasional Berhad (Malaysia’s strategic investment funding body) delivered a detailed feasibility study, specification and business plan for a £40m sports village (the SVIM) in Medini, Malaysia’s second city.

 

The SVIM, which is in the process of being developed and includes a range of indoor and outdoor sports facilities designed to cater for a range of uses from international events and games based competition through to community sport and physical activity.

 

KKP’s feasibility encompassed assessment of domestic and world markets which greatly influenced our input into the design specification for the facility, in order to achieve the required outcomes.  Business plans, financial modelling, sensitivity analysis and long term lifecycle costs were factored into a comprehensive feasibility report.

 

As part of the study, KKP hosted various delegations from Malaysia to visit key facilities in the UK including Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, the FA’s National Football Centre at St George’s Park, Glasgow’s Commonwealth Games venues, Old Trafford Cricket Ground and SportCity in Manchester.

 

The SMIV in Medini will have an extensive indoor sports arena with integrated spectator facilities which functions both as a major events venue and service anticipated demand from the growing adjacent city. It also encompasses extensive fitness facilities, squash, multiple studio spaces, retail and café areas plus sports science/medicine provision.

 

The facility will also have three full-sized floodlit artificial grass pitches, community grass pitches, futsal/five a side courts, cricket nets and commensurate parking and landscaping. The pitches will sit alongside a cricket oval with capacity for temporary searing for up to 20,000 spectators, enabling it to attract and host Indian Premier League matches.

 

John Eady, Chief Executive at KKP who led on the study, says: ‘This was a project that changed radically and fundamentally as a consequence of the feasibility process. Khazanah will develop a venue that achieves its international games and events aspirations, and enables Johor and Medini to deliver their respective commercial viability objectives’.