Following an open competition, Burrell Foley Fischer were appointed Lead Consultant for the £8 million refurbishment of the Stour Centre, incorporating a new contemporary dance facility and 200-seat auditorium.

The Stour Centre is a 1970s sports complex built on a challenging floodplain site between two rivers. Its refurbishment aimed to address long-standing environmental issues while providing facilities to be managed for the local council by an external operating partner.

The extension of the centre was designed to house the new home for the Jasmin Vardimon Company, an internationally recognised contemporary dance company, including practice, rehearsal and performance spaces, along with public and backstage areas.

The design team worked closely with all parties to develop a Stage 2 design but it became clear that the budget set at options appraisal stage, prior to BFF's involvement, was not sufficient to provide all the facilities the leisure centre and JVC required to achieve their business plan. 

BFF continued to work with the Jasmin Vardimon Company exploring alternative sites. We completed a feasibility study for a new build facility on a brownfield site, including two dance studios, a pilates room, office, meeting and café facilities.