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Chelsea FC Training Academy Jon, 29

Chelsea FC Training Academy

Location: Cobham

Client: Chelsea FC

Project timescale: July 2004 to May 2007

Project Value: Undisclosed

The project:

The project brief for Chelsea FC's new Training Academy was a '6-star Country Club' that would attract the world's best footballers. As such the Academy has hotel quality rest rooms and dining facilities, as well as a hydrotherapy centre, fitness gym, physiotherapy studio, press conference facilities and state-of-the-art coaching technology.

The project is subject to a number of onerous planning constraints, which have been programme-managed during the design, construction and operation phases.

What was Capita Symonds role on the project?

Capita Symonds was Project Manager and Contract Administrator for the project. Our toughest challenge - pre-construction - was managing a project brief which changed radically when Roman Abramovich bought the club and signed Jose Mourinho as the 1st Team Manager in 2003.

During construction we were instructed to radically change the hydrotherapy facilities and avoid noisy works during 1st team training (10am - 2pm every day), both of which caused delays to completion.

What was YOUR role on the project?

I was Project Director and Contract Administrator. I kept the project team motivated and focused during times of change and uncertainty. I also ensured that the client and design team did not lose sight of good value by managing value during the design process - a real challenge when the client is one of the richest men in the world!

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