The professional advice is not to. Plus, the design considerations for the new pavilion are significantly different to the current building, which dates back to 1940. If we want a modern, sustainable pavilion that works for our community, we have to build it. Richmond Council owns the current structure. It’s already received a surveyor’s report analysing what it would cost to repair it. The council’s position is that repairing what’s there amounts to “throwing good money after bad”. We’ve consulted architects and builders, and they hold the same view. They say refurbishment could lead to unexpected costs and delays.

We’ve got an initial estimate from a building contractor putting the cost at more than £1 million. This quote is based on assumptions about the current structure - for example: the presence of asbestos. Richmond Council is conducting an asbestos and ground investigation, along with other surveys. This will allow contractors to give us more accurate quotes. If you have skills and experience and want to help us review quotes from contractors, please get in touch.

It’s tough to say at this stage. But we expect it to take a year once we have the funding we need. 

Every pound we raise will help build the new pavilion. But the crowdfunding campaign has another, crucial objective: to show widespread community support for the project. This support will help us unlock funding from the charitable organisations we’re counting on to raise the majority of our costs. These organisations include London Marathon Charitable Trust, Sport England Community Investment Fund and Big Lottery Fund. We’ve already received £150,000 from Richmond Council.