Premier Construction South West

State-of-the-art pavilion takes shape

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Written by Roma Publications

A brand new state-of-the-art pavilion complete with covered seating, bars, a café bistro, corporate facilities, a media centre and a rooftop viewing area, is under construction for Somerset County Cricket Club at its ground in Taunton.

The £3.8 m project to build the new Somerset Pavilion forms a major part of the club’s redevelopment.

RG Spiller are main contractors for the development, with LED Architects as project architects.

Located on the former site of two old pavilions that had been an intrinsic part of the club’s history, the new pavilion has been carefully designed not only to be extremely functional in terms of spectator facilities, but to also sit comfortably within its historic surroundings –especially with regard to the iconic views towards the church towers of St James and St Andrews.

The new pavilion incorporates tiered seating for approximately 1200 spectators over three floors, including 344 seats at roof level that are sheltered by a dynamic canopy hung from four braced masts.

Also at roof level is a dedicated media centre with large angled windows facing directly down the pitch with fine views ‘over the bowler’s arm’.

On the first floor the pavilion includes five corporate boxes and an additional ‘long room’ called the ‘1875 room’ – all with dedicated tiered seating.

At ground floor level there is further tiered seating for spectators, including toilet and concessionary facilities, together with a café bistro that will also operate on non-match days. Ancillary facilities include a new commercial kitchen, satellite kitchen, bars and toilets.

The building is fully accessible with dedicated spaces for disabled visitors. Finally, there is provision for a TV camera gantry located at roof terrace level, which also provides further space for corporate entertainment.

The development has been designed with a number of environmentally-friendly features including: high levels of thermal insulation, including SIP panel external wall construction; high levels of controlled natural daylight using generous fenestration; good thermal mass to help ensure an even internal temperature range; and low energy / high efficiency LED lighting.

In addition, recycled and/or recyclable materials have been used wherever possible – such as external timber cladding and a hardcore sub-base.

Speaking at the outset of the project, Cricket club chief executive Guy Lavender said: “The selection of the main contractor has been a comprehensive and lengthy process.

“RG Spiller provided an outstanding proposal. They are a local company who take great pride in their work and I have every confidence they will build a facility of which we can all be proud.”

The project is due for completion in 2016.

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