Client: LEP/Kent County Council Location: Herne Bay, Kent Value: £20million Form of Contract: Bespoke BSF Design & Build Contract Programme: 32 months Due to complete: 2012 Architect: Clague LLP A major development within the company’s education portfolio, Provian Construction started work on a £17.46 million refurbishment of Herne Bay High School in 2008 as part of the country's Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme. Three years on and the construction firm has recently completed phase 5 of the development, a large £5 million community sports venue within the school campus (pictured above).
Currently working on both the sixth and seventh phases of work, including complete classroom refurbishment, Provian’s building and refurbishment programme will also provide a specialist dance centre and theatre space in the existing sports hall that can be used by larger groups – part of the final phase of works on site.
The whole community will benefit from the new sports hall facility. A joint venture between Canterbury City Council, Herne Bay High School and Kent County Council, it will allow the relocation of roller hockey, long mat bowls and many other sport and leisure activities from the Pier Sports Centre on Herne Bay sea front.
The sports arena builds upon the school’s excellent existing sports facilities, which include a full size synthetic turf pitch, three floodlit tennis/netball courts, a multi-use games area, climbing walls, two full size football pitches, a summer grass athletics track, a junior football pitch, a 24-station fitness gym and coaching education areas.
With sustainable construction in mind the whole project is on track to achieve a minimum BREEAM rating of 'very good' and conforms to the 'Considerate Contractors Scheme'.
At the centre of the school a major new indoor courtyard, or "heart", has been developed to act as a multi-functional space around which refurbished teaching and IT areas will be sited, as well as new dining and cafe facilities.
This is the third major project carried out recently by Provian Construction at Herne Bay High School; the first being a £1million Learning Resource Centre and gym extension, followed by the construction of a new single storey Vocational Skills Centre. Provian’s experience and understanding of the school’s requirements will assist it in fulfilling its commitment to successfully deliver this latest project. "I would recommend them to be considered very seriously for any school-based project. I do not think you will be disappointed" Mr D J O'Donovan - (Former) Headteacher of Herne Bay High School