Building Better Sports Facilities

Overview

The overall aim of the programme is to contribute towards the delivery of increased, inclusive and safe sustained participation in sport and physical recreation by meeting the following aims;

• To contribute to the modernisation of sports facilities across Northern Ireland;
• To respond to health and safety needs of sports facilities, including building resilience to the COVID-19 pandemic;
• To contribute to improved environmental sustainability of sports facilities across Northern Ireland;
• To contribute to improved access & inclusion at sports facilities with a particular focus on women/girls and people with a disability;
• To respond to facility improvement needs identified by sports as part of Sport Northern Ireland’s COVID-19 Engagement Survey (2020), through return to sport queries and other Sport Northern Ireland insights.

While Sport NI has traditionally focused on investing in the actual playing facility e.g. pitch, hall, wicket, court etc. Recent research has identified a need to take a more holistic approach to sports infrastructure development. This holistic approach would include the development of changing rooms, toilets, carparks, pathway and ancillary facilities that benefit all users of the facility.

Budgets

Building Better Sports Facilities is financed by funds made available by Department for Communities. Sport Northern Ireland may use any reserve list of high quality projects to bid for further funds. Based on previous experience of Sport Northern Ireland capital funding schemes, it is likely that Building Better Sports Facilities will be heavily oversubscribed for the funds available.

Award Thresholds

In response to finite funds an indicative upper limit has been set for awards.

The minimum award available is £5,000 and the maximum is £25,000 for any project*.

*The total project costs may go to (but not exceed) £30,000 depending on the VAT status of the applicant.

Eligible costs

Eligible costs include equipment and VAT. If your organisation is registered for VAT, VAT costs will not be eligible.

Examples of the type of projects that can be funded are (this list is not exhaustive):

• General improvement works, including improvements/ modifications to:

- Changing and toilets;

• Facilities maintenance equipment;
• Storage facilities & containers;
• Access & egress projects, including improvements to:

- Entrances/Exits (internal or external);

- Car parks;

- Pathways; and

- Fencing.

• Environmental sustainability projects, including improvements to:

- Heating systems;

- Plumbing;

- Power supply;

- Ventilation; and

- Insulation.

• Works to enable your facility to operate more efficiently within Covid-19 guidelines.

Is partnership funding required?

Building Better Sports Facilities does not require project proposals to have partnership funding. However, some capital projects may require professional input, which is likely to incur a cost. These costs WILL NOT be covered by Building Better Sports Facilities. It is the applicant’s responsibility to obtain the appropriate professional services if applicable.

Who can apply?

Building Better Sports Facilities will accept applications from the following organisations who either own or operate their own sports facilities*:

• Sports clubs (affiliated to an Sport Northern Ireland recognised governing body of sport); and
• Community sports organisations.

*Organisations who operate (but do not own their own facilities) must be able to evidence security of tenure of a minimum of 10 years.

Works commence - January to March 2022. All projects to be completed by 31st March 2022.