The Manor Ground, Shinfield, Reading

Part of a larger scheme to improve sports and leisure facilities across Shinfield, development of The Manor Ground sports pitches and pavilion was recently completed on behalf of The University of Reading and Shinfield Parish Council. Alongside the refurbished cricket and football pitches, the new sports pavilion provides new changing rooms, a dedicated social area and kitchen space. The new facilities will be utilised by Shinfield Cricket Club and sports teams of The University of Reading, as well as local sports clubs and community groups.

Main Contractors on this project were TG Escapes, a building design company specialising in modular timber frame eco-buildings. With planning permission already secured for the development of the Manor Pavillion, urbanspec was approached with an initial enquiry for the supply and installation of a galvanised steel bike shelter & bin store as part of their wider package of works. Specifications included specific dimensions, the installation of concrete bases as part of project groundworks, timber cladding for the bin store to integrate with the timber design of the new sports pavilion, and a capacity for 10no. bikes in the bike shelter. 

Easing the specification process, urbanspec was able to utilise pre-engineered design layouts for the urbanspec H-Series Bin Store Building and urbanspec CS Single Row Asymmetric Bike Shelter, with the dimensions of the H-Series configured to meet TG Escape’s requirements for this project. A hot-dip galvanised finish is provided as standard to the steel framework of urbanspec bin stores & bike shelters to ensure protection from the elements in exposed outdoor settings. 

ForestPanel softwood cladding in the design of the H-Series bin store provides effective coordination with the building facade of the sports pavilion, while a single row of 5no. Sheffield Stands in the standalone bike shelter met the capacity requirements for on-site bike parking. UV-protected polycarbonate roof panels ensure protection for parked bikes. 

With delivery of The Manor Ground development set for April 2023, urbanspec successfully completed the package of works, including project groundworks, in line with this. The new sports pavilion and pitches were officially unveiled to the local community on May 21st 2023.