Member Article

Darlington architect to oversee £1m football and rugby club ground-share project

Darlington architect Malcolm Cundick has been appointed to oversee the move of Darlington Football Club to Blackwell Meadows, where it will share enhanced ground facilities with Darlington Rugby Football Club.

An Associate at Darlington-based ADG Architects, Malcolm has been named as Project Manager by the directors of both clubs to coordinate the £1 million construction project.

With work scheduled to commence early next month, Darlington 1883 FC’s move back to its home town is scheduled to be complete in time for the start of the 2016-17 season in August.

Mr Cundick, a Chartered Architect with more than 45 years’ experience, will manage the various contracts to provide facilities which match Football Association’s Category B Grading, with capacity to move on to higher gradings as Darlington 1883 FC achieve promotions to higher divisions, together with continuing enhancement of facilities at Blackwell Meadows for Darlington RFC, and as a multi Sports Hub.

Works will include construction of a new 250 space car park with expansion potential, new changing rooms, security fencing, turnstiles, spectator toilet facilities, upgrading of the pitch, a 250 minimum covered seated stand with capacity to grow, and a 900 space capacity terraced stand which will be constructed utilising the original “Tin Shed” steel portal frame structure salvaged from Feetham’s, the former home of Darlington FC.

Mr Cundick (pictured above) has worked for some three years with both clubs and Darlington Borough Council in translating an initial idea into the planned redevelopment project, including the achievement of planning approval and assistance in the pursuit of grant funding from various sources.

He said: “The challenge now is to translate design work into co-ordinated construction of the complete package of elements required to satisfy the stringent requirements of both the FA, RFU and Football League.

“As a Darlington fan since my move to the town in 1979 I am excited to be part of the Club’s recent successes and to be closely involved in its long-overdue move back home.”