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President of the Institution of Civil Engineers visits Award Winning Brighton Stadium Project
The current President of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), Jean Venables OBE FREng FICE, visited the New Community Stadium being built by Buckingham Group on behalf of Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club, as part of a two day visit in June to the City of Brighton & Hove.

The £93 million new Community Stadium at Falmer, is currently the largest project underway in the City and is being developed in partnership with the City Council, the University of Brighton and SEEDA. It is part of the major regeneration of the Falmer area which will include the Stadium, new buildings for both the University of Brighton and Sussex, the new City Academy at Falmer High School and major improvements to the Infrastructure being funded by SEEDA.

When she arrived at the Stadium Project, Jean Venables was welcomed to the City by the Cabinet Member for Major Projects, Councillor Ted Kemble.

The President of the Institution of Civil Engineers, Jean Venables said: “The role of Civil Engineers in the design and supervision of major regeneration projects is vital. Engineers make a huge contribution to the local economy by creating jobs, improving infrastructure and protecting the environment. It is wonderful to see, even in these difficult economic times, visionary projects underway, which when complete will provide huge social and economic benefits and have a massive impact on the local community.”

Cabinet councillor for major projects Ted Kemble said: “With the recession hitting construction hard it’s tremendous to see a big project like this progressing and for the council to be involved as a partner.”

“This scheme not only creates a new home for the Albion but also helps sustain hundreds of jobs in construction and civil engineering now and a wide range of other jobs in future. That’s something the club and council can be very proud of.”

Albion Chief Executive Martin Perry said “The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government recognised when she granted planning permission for our new stadium, that the project would create opportunities for education, skills training and jobs as well as providing a wonderful new facility for the city of Brighton and Hove”.

“We are now beginning to deliver on those promises. We are grateful for the huge amount of support that the City Council has given us to get us to this position and we recognise the vital role now that the civil engineers will play in helping us put together this exciting structure which will be a landmark building in the city.”

Kevin Underwood, Buckingham Group Stadia Director and ICE Member, commented “We were delighted to be able to show the ICE President and other Guests around the site at such an early stage, and the visit demonstrates the importance of the new stadium within the Region.’’ Later in the day, at the President’s Dinner held at Brighton’s Grand Hotel, Kevin was presented with an Award by Jean Venables with the new stadium winning the ‘Most Prestigious Project’ in the southern region.