Reflecting financial and sustainability objectives – Everton FC’s new stadium on Merseyside
Featured image credit: Everton FC/Pattern Design
Sustainability and longevity of sports and leisure facilities in the UK will be the drivers for the future in the sports sector, according to the latest Construction Market Intelligence Q3 2024 report from Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB UK).
The construction, property and management consultancy states that delivering sporting venues which have stronger economic, environmental and social value outcomes with multi-purpose usage will be how the sports sector will grow.
The pressure to build venues that are greener and more sustainable will be the driver for future venues
RLB UK states that projects will demand innovative solutions to meet net zero targets and use of sustainable materials, integrating energy-efficient systems and adopting advanced technologies in design and construction will be key.
Jonathan Edwards, RLB’s national Head of Sports comments, said: “The pressure, not only financially but also environmentally, to build venues that are greener and more sustainable will be the driver for future sporting and leisure venues.
“We are already seeing this progression in the industry and RLB is actively involved with its partnership with the World Academy of Sport (QAoS) to deliver services for legacy venues.”
The report states that turnaround is underway in the wider built environment after a period in which output has fallen for over a year. According to the Q3 2024 findings, there is an improving market confidence, which although dependent on the new UK government’s management of the economy, is seeing significant growth of nearly 18% and over 16%, respectively, in new work orders in the first two quarters of 2024.
Across RLB’s 14 offices around the UK, the company states the outlook is also positive, with the reduction in the base rate of interest to 5% hopefully helping confidence levels across the board, and possible future investment.
However, RLB’s Construction Market Intelligence (CMI) highlights the ongoing concern from many contractors and subcontractors around labour shortages, lending weight to the need for political solutions and planned programmes of skills development.
Edwards added: “Financial resources permitting, a determined government drive to create greener, more accessible sports and leisure facilities will likely lead to a surge in demand for construction services from the sector.”
Click here to read RLB’s full Construction Market Intelligence Q3 2024.
>> More on this topic will be shared at TheStadiumBusiness’ 12th annual Design & Development Summit 2024 on December 2-4 in Manchester.
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