Awarded SAPCA Large Project of the Year 2023
Old Saltleians RFC was in need of a new home ground and clubhouse as a result of development in the local area. The 17-acre development combined our extensive experience in civil engineering and construction with sports expertise to deliver brand new, state-of-the-art clubhouse and pitch facilities.
After a competitive tendering process, O’Brien Contractors were appointed as the principal contractor on the development for Old Saltleians RFC, on the outskirts of Birmingham. We worked closely with the club, MGAC, AJA Architects, Nolan Associates and PSD to bring life to the fallow farmland.
State of the Art Facilities & Sustainable Construction
The Sports and Play Construction Association (SAPCA)-winning project included three senior pitches, three junior pitches and two dedicated mini-rugby pitches, complete with floodlights. The new clubhouse was constructed and kit out with changing rooms, a gym, bar, function room office space and extensive ancillary storage. The site now also boasts extensive car and coach parking, as well as hard and soft landscaping.
The new club was located at the end of a quiet residential street, so we worked closely with local authorities and other stakeholders to agree the Section 278 works, creating safe access to and from the site, both during and after the works, whilst respecting local residents, pedestrians and vehicles.
Tackling follow arable farmland
Working on fallow arable farmland came with its challenges. A difference in ground material that had not been detected in the early stages of design, and significantly more topsoil available on site for re-use, meant the site was re-designed to prevent wastage and unnecessary removal from site. The real-time redesign allowed new data to be remotely provided to site machinery using Sitelink3D V2 on Topcon MC-X. This ensured the project was completed on time and on budget.
Our committment!
Not only are we committed to delivering great work, but we’re dedicated to protecting the environment whilst doing so.
The Old Salteians RFC site is home to a 500-year-old oak tree that required careful preservation. To ensure the tree was protected, we worked with a specialist arborist and created an innovative design that protected the roots from damage while providing gravel surface drainage to prevent the tree from drowning. To boost the surrounding biodiversity, over 100 trees were planted and natural hedgerows were thickened as part of the scheme.
We also installed a continuous newt barrier around the perimeter of the site, which protected the species during construction.
Despite battling the 40ºC heatwave of June 2022, the new and existing ponds were successfully used for rainwater irrigation, supporting the hydration of the newly-sown grass seeds on the pitches – ready for a winning home game.
From Start to Finish Photo Gallery!
