Transforming Bury Knowle Pavilion Into A Vibrant Community Hub
Client: Courtside Hubs
Project: Major refurbishment of Bury Knowle Pavilion
Department: Construction
Date of completion: June 2024
Budget: £600k
Summary
Bury Knowle Pavilion, a familiar landmark in the Headington area of Oxford, required comprehensive internal and external refurbishment to restore it to a vibrant community hub. This major modernisation works programme was part of a £600,000 investment in the site, focused on revitalising under-utilised public buildings in local parks to increase physical and social activity.
ODS was awarded the project through a competitive tender issued by Courtside Hubs. Impressed by the previous success ODS had in refurbishing the Iffley Road Pavilion, they were eager to leverage the company’s strong local connections to align with their mission of delivering significant social value to the community.
Requirements
As a multi-faceted delivery organisation, ODS had the wide-ranging expertise required to seamlessly deliver the extensive, modernisation works programme while preserving the Pavilion’s historic charm. The project involved a complete transformation of the old tennis pavilion, including gutting, extending, and modernising the timber-framed structure to accommodate a new café. This overhaul encompassed comprehensive electrical, plumbing, drainage, and construction work, including the addition of new structural elements, a north elevation extension, internal upgrades, and external improvements to drainage, pathways, and cycle loops. Beyond the new café, the final enhancements also featured a multi-use games area, mini-golf, and shuffleboard facilities.
Challenges
Balancing modern updates with sensitive preservation of strictly protected historical elements required careful planning and meticulous coordination.
The large-scale restoration programme demanded a diverse range of skills, making it crucial to optimise resources and ensure2maximum efficiency for successful delivery.
Ensuring minimal disruption to the park’s operations and maintaining community engagement throughout the refurbishment was essential.
Solution
Multiple site visits during the procurement phase enabled ODS to thoroughly understand the existing conditions and plan the extensive refurbishment. ODS maintained open communication with local stakeholders throughout the process to minimise disruption and ensure the refurbishment programme balanced with the needs of the local community and would meet their expectations.
Leveraging ODS’ own Direct Labour Organisation allowed for seamless execution of the project, with highly skilled, in-house expertise ensuring quality workmanship and timely completion.
Results:
The refurbishment of Bury Knowle Pavilion stands as a testament to ODS' ability to deliver complex projects, whilst maintaining a strong focus on community impact and operational efficiency. By leveraging local knowledge and expertise, ODS successfully restored the pavilion to serve as a vibrant community hub, aligning with Courtside Hubs’ goal of creating lasting social value for Oxford residents.
Feedback
"Bringing the Bury Knowle hub to life has been a fantastic joint effort and we would like to thank ODS for their work. ODS managed the development of the hub, delivering the refurbishment of the existing facilities and installation of new activity spaces in a professional and timely manner. It was reassuring to work with an experienced construction team who took every effort to minimise disruption and execute the project with care and professionalism. Now complete, these exciting new facilities will help realise our mission of
connecting the community, encouraging physical and social wellbeing, and protecting Bury Knowle Park as a place of rest and recreation for future generations." Jeff Hunter, CEO of Courtside
