Swindon Town FC Foundation Installs a Spectator Canopy

Swindon Town FC Community Foundation Installs a Spectator Canopy at Foundation Park

The Swindon Town FC Community Foundation, located at Foundation Park in Swindon, helps more than 30,000 people every year.

The site has programmes for children, families, and older generations that promote health, education, and sports. This makes the place lively with daily sessions, events, and match activity.

During these popular activities, parents and spectators often had to stand exposed to the elements during bad weather. The Foundation needed a sturdy, robust canopy to protect people from the weather near the field.

Project Overview

Motiva Cantilever™

Steelwork:

Basalt Grey - RAL NO. 7012
Roof:

Opal

Challenges

Limited shelter for spectators: There wasn’t much existing cover available, so parents and visitors often had to stand outside in the rain during practices and games.
High footfall across the site: The area is regularly used throughout the season and so was identified as a key space for the Foundation to develop.
Unpredictable weather: Rain and wind made it uncomfortable to be outside and limited the time people could spend there.
Need for clear sightlines: Staff and parents needed to be able to see what was going on without any obstruction.

Our Solution

A&S Landscape reviewed the area available to see how spectators currently use it. This helped us identify a spot close to the field but also the main building that would leave the walkways clear. After reviewing our product range, a Motiva Cantilever™ straight polycarbonate roof canopy was selected and installed.

The canopy is 14,870mm x 4,000mm, which gives parents and guests a large covered area to enjoy. Because it is cantilevered, the posts are set back to one side, which makes it easy to see the pitch and games area. This also makes it easier to get around the shelter when it’s busy.

The steelwork for the structure was finished in RAL 7012 Basalt Grey, which matches the other buildings in the area well. Alu-Tuff™ aluminium guttering and downpipes were included to handle rainwater effectively, providing reasonable ease of maintenance for ongoing use.

Key Features and Materials

Structure: The solid steel frame has been coated with Duracoat™ RAL 7012 Basalt Grey to give a lasting protective finish and provide a clean finish.
Roofing: Poly-tuff™ opal polycarbonate roof panels will allow the passage of light while blocking glare and rain impact, creating a pleasant environment under the shelter.
Design: The cantilever design provides uprights at the back of the canopy, making the most of available space and keeping views unobstructed.
Guttering: The design of the Alu-Tuff™ aluminium box profile gutters and downpipes will provide a controlled flow of rainwater when it rains.
Sides: The structure has open sides to allow airflow through the structure and provides unobstructed sightlines to the pitch.

Results

Better protection from bad weather: With this canopy in place, there will be better protection from the elements, as parents and spectators will now comfortably stay dry during practice or competition. Activities can continue in any weather.
More efficient use of open space: Activities can go on during any weather.
Clear visibility: The cantilever shape lets both staff and visitors see what’s going on.
Safer movement on the site: Having open access around the canopy makes it easier to get around when the area is busy.

Conclusion

The new canopy for spectators has made Foundation Park even more useful and inviting to guests. It can be used every day because it gives protection where it’s needed the most. The design goes well with what’s already there and makes things more comfortable for guests.

In such a busy community, this project shows how a simple canopy can make a big difference. The year-round experience is now better, as A&S Landscape came up with a solution that works well and will be valuable in the long run.