Two design ‘gems’ make regional shortlists

Heywood Sports Village

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Two of the borough’s best new buildings have been shortlisted for prestigious awards. Heywood Sports Village has been shortlisted for the 2012 RICS Award North West in the Community Benefit category and The Pavilion at Birtle Brook Village has been shortlisted in the Regeneration category.

The Heywood Sports Village has also been nominated for a Local Authority Building Control (LABC) Building Excellence Awards 2012.

Local people were instrumental in the design of the Heywood Sports Village which has seen public visits increase dramatically since it replaced the old sports centre, and received excellent feedback from local people.

The Pavilion at Birtle Brook is nominated for the ‘Regeneration Award.’ It’s been a good year so far for the building, which won the coveted ‘Rochdale Borough Design Award’ just last month.

The former brown field site has been extensively developed and now comprises a contemporary bistro (The Pavilion) alongside 60 cottages and 4 apartments for the over 55’s.

Paul Clark from architects CJ Partnership said: “We are delighted to be nominated for a building that the locals are rightly proud of.

“It forms the focal point for the regeneration of a rural area whilst retaining the site’s unique qualities and creating an enhanced quality of life for residents, visitors and wildlife.”

Craig McAteer, Managing Director of Link4Life, said Heywood Sports Village would be a deserved winner: “The community have been involved with the building right from the beginning and have really taken it to their hearts.

“Heywood Sports Village stands as a great example of what can be achieved when funders and agencies work together with the community.

“This nomination is much deserved by everyone involved.”

The regional winners will be announced in May and if successful they will go forward to the national awards later in the year.