Kentish Football 
Margate unveil exciting plans to transform Hartsdown Park into Football League graded stadium
Thursday 16th December 2010
MARGATE Football Club has now received the following news from its development partners regarding the most up to date position on the redevelopment of Hartsdown Park, and the proposed dates for commencement of the project.
Leaseholders of the Hartsdown Road site, Hartsdown Properties Ltd, have confirmed that an amended planning application in the joint names of Hartsdown Properties and Travelodge Hotels Ltd have now been submitted to Thanet District Council for the construction of a 68 bedroom Travelodge.
Travelodge has confirmed that their investment board have approved the Hartsdown Site, and require to have full occupation by December 2011.
The Hartsdown Road site has an existing full planning consent for an 80 bedroom hotel, and it is proposed to locate the Travelodge on the same section of the site, already approved.
Hartsdown Properties, have also secured operators for both the Management of the Artificial Pitches, including the Full Sized 3G pitch, together with the new bar and changing areas, and also for the education unit proposed to be included within the new North Stand.
Occupation of the North Stand by the new operators is required by September 2011.
The Agreement between the Landlord, Thanet District Council, and Hartsdown Properties requires Hartsdown Properties to upgrade the football stadium from its existing Grade C grading, to Grade A grading, at the same time as occupying any of the commercial consents granted on the site.
Architects appointed by the Developer, GCA, have therefore, and as part of the amended planning application, included the proposed stadium upgrade, as part of this application.
Invitations to tender for the construction works were sent to six different building contractors, requesting budget cost proposals for a design & build project which included the construction of the North Stand, the full sized 3G Pitch, the 68 bed Travelodge Hotel, with bar/restaurant under, and the Stadium upgrade from grade C to grade A (Conference / Football League grading).
The club has been advised that the developers have selected the Stage 1 design and build offer from Construct Stadia Group.
Construct Stadia Group has now been formally instructed, and they will commence their mobilisation of the programme of works, submitted as part of their offer with immediate effect. The programme of works submitted by Construct Group requires full blown construction works to commence on site, by March 2011, these mobilisation works include the site set up and other preparatory works which form part of the construction programme, so it is expected that evidence of a March start will show within weeks as the contractor prepares to commence.
The developers have advised the club, that the proposed upgrade of the Hartsdown Stadium, will cause disruption to the running of the club, particularly during the playing season, and the club has selected to appoint a safety committee, who will oversee the progress, and working with the Main Contractor issue a safety certificate for each game played, whilst work is in progress.
The club will also be working closely with the Ryman League Board of Directors.
All of these works are regarded as Stage 1 of the overall redevelopment proposals.
Stage 2, will include the demolition and redevelopment of the Hartsdown Road end, which when completed will include a 250 seated conference facility on the first floor with balconies overlooking the pitch, including providing both new conference and social facilities for the club.
The developers are in the final stages of negotiation with its Landlord regarding the terms of the new leases, which must be subject to a consultation period.
There will be reaction to this exciting news including interviews and more details over the coming days on the club’s website www.margate-fc.com
Article courtesy of www.margate-fc.com
Red Dragon I.T. Ltd