Safeguarding a community sports facility: Stafford Road Sports Club, Bloxwich
Walsall Council has taken a proactive step to safeguard a key community asset in Bloxwich, appointing Resolution Interiors to deliver a comprehensive roof replacement programme at Stafford Road Sports Club. The project was procured through the Refit & Refurbishment Framework, which we manage on behalf of contracting authority Red Kite Learning Trust, via a single-stage further competition. This process providing a compliant route to market that supported delivery within a live, operational environment.
Delivering certainty in a live community environment
The project involved six distinct roof areas, five of which required full replacement or overlay works. Given the age and varied construction of the building, with roof structures dating from the late 1960s through to the 1990s, early mobilisation was critical.
Through the framework, Resolution Interiors engaged early with Walsall Council and the Sports Club to establish clear communication protocols, safeguarding measures and operational constraints. A full structural survey was commissioned at the outset, ensuring proposed insulation upgrades and roofing systems were structurally appropriate before works progressed.
This proactive approach de-risked delivery and ensured the refurbishment solution was both technically robust and future proofed.
Managing risk, complexity and change
As works progressed, previously hidden defects were uncovered, including significant deterioration to one roof structure caused by long-term moisture ingress from historic water tank and shower room locations. On the largest roof area, extensive strip-back revealed rot to rafters and failed insulation, requiring over 75m² of additional strip-out and re-decking beyond the original scope.
Despite these challenges, the framework enabled swift and transparent agreement of managed variations, maintaining programme certainty and continued compliance. Resolution Interiors worked closely with roofing manufacturer Garland to preserve warranty integrity, ultimately securing a 25-year manufacturer’s warranty for the Council.
While adverse weather affected key stages of the roofing works, intelligent re-sequencing of non-weather-dependent activities minimised downtime and restricted programme extension to approximately 1.5 weeks, a strong outcome for a weather-sensitive refurbishment project.
Keeping the club open and the community moving
As a heavily used sports facility with nearby residential boundaries, maintaining full club operations throughout the programme was essential. Enhanced debris netting, controlled access routes and carefully planned deliveries ensured zero disruption to users, neighbours or scheduled events.
Importantly, the club remained fully operational for the duration of the works, protecting community access, revenue streams and local engagement.
Added value beyond the scope
In addition to the contracted works, Resolution Interiors delivered several improvements at no additional cost, including security lighting, satellite dish repairs to maintain Sky TV services in the bar, temporary mitigation of an internal bar leak, and reconfiguration of a failing drainage hopper to prevent flooding of the changing rooms.
These measures demonstrated a collaborative, outcomes-focused approach aligned with our core values, prioritising asset performance, user experience and long-term value over minimum compliance.
Quality, social value and local impact
Quality assurance was underpinned by regular manufacturer inspections, with Garland commending workmanship throughout the programme. Only two minor items were identified at final inspection, and the roof achieved its full 25-year warranty.
The project also delivered strong social value outcomes, captured through Loop, Pagabo Group’s social value measurement tool. A high proportion of operatives were sourced locally from the Walsall area, including apprentices, while key suppliers were regionally based and actively supporting local skills development.
In total, the project generated £53,404.78 in social value from an overall project spend of £180,820.45, delivering measurable economic and social impact for the local area. The centre has received £180,820.45 funding from Walsall Council’s Community Capital programme, which is funded by the Government’s Town Deal.
Councillor Adrian Andrew, Deputy Leader of Walsall Council, said:
“It’s fantastic to see investment continuing to make a real difference in Bloxwich. Bloxwich Stafford Road Sports Club plays a big part in community life, and these improvements will help secure its future for years to come. By modernising the building, we are creating a better facility for local people.”
Alex Simpson, Key Account Lead at Resolution Interiors, said:
“Despite complex hidden defects, adverse weather and a live operational environment, we were delighted to successfully deliver a high-quality roofing solution that has transformed the Sports Club’s resilience and usability. Long-standing leaks were eliminated, internal damage was prevented from further deterioration, and the club now benefits from a secure, watertight building for decades to come, providing lasting value to both Walsall Council and the local community.”
Enabling confident refurbishment through smart procurement
This project demonstrates how the Refit & Refurbishment Framework enables public sector organisations to navigate complex refurbishment challenges with confidence, combining compliant procurement, early engagement and delivery partners capable of responding to risk, change and live operational environments.
Rebecca Oglesby, Category Manager – Estates at Pagabo, said:
“This project is a great example of how the Refit & Refurbishment Framework supports to clients to deliver complex works with confidence. The further competition process enabled early collaboration, transparency and flexibility, which proved critical in managing risk, maintaining programme certainty and ensuring long-term value for both Walsall Council and the local community.”
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