The award recognises our work on the Expansion of Bluecoats Sports at Christ’s Hospital School in Horsham, Sussex. A project we are incredibly proud of and one that truly represents the best of what we do.

A Night to Remember

The SAPCA Awards 2026 gala dinner was held at the iconic Allianz Stadium in Twickenham, London, bringing together the finest companies across the sports and play construction sector. Now in their 11th year, the awards celebrate outstanding achievement, innovation, and the positive impact that high-quality sports facilities have on communities across the UK.

This year’s competition was fierce — more than 30 entries were submitted across six categories, and we were up against excellent companies in our category. Being selected as the winner by a judging panel of industry leaders is a recognition that means a great deal to our entire team.

The Project: Bluecoats Sports Expansion at Christ’s Hospital School

Christ’s Hospital School is one of the UK’s most distinguished educational establishments, and the Bluecoats Sports Expansion project gave us the opportunity to create a truly exceptional sporting facility worthy of its surroundings.

From the outset, our goal was to deliver a project that would serve students and the wider community for decades to come, combining technical excellence with sensitivity to the school’s heritage setting. We’re proud that the judges recognised this commitment to quality.

What This Award Means to Us

Winning the SAPCA Large Project of the Year is a fantastic achievement for everyone at Smith Construction. It reflects the dedication, expertise, and craftsmanship that our team brings to every project we undertake.

SAPCA Technical Lead Colin Corline summed it up well at the ceremony: the winning projects “highlighted the amazing impact that the facilities created by SAPCA members make in communities across the UK.” That community impact is at the heart of everything we do.

We’d like to take this opportunity to thank:

• Christ’s Hospital School for trusting us with this outstanding project
• The SAPCA judging panel for recognising our work
• Our incredible team whose skill and dedication made this possible
• All our partners and suppliers who contributed to the project’s success

Looking Ahead

This award inspires us to continue raising the bar on every project we deliver. Whether we’re working on school sports facilities, community hubs, or elite performance venues, our commitment remains the same: to build sports and play spaces that make a genuine difference.

If you’re planning a sports facility project and would like to talk to an award-winning team, we’d love to hear from you.

Get in touch with us today, let’s build something great together.

Tim was an integral part of Smith Construction for 35 years and a truly valued member of our team. He brought knowledge and experience to so many aspects of our business and will be remembered for his constant willingness to help others, his kindness and his famously bad jokes that never failed to bring a smile to our faces.

As a team, we are struggling to come to terms with the loss of such a much loved colleague, family member and trusted friend. This has been a profound shock to us all and we kindly ask for your understanding and patience during this unprecedented time.

Above all else, Tim was deeply committed to his family and always spoke of them with such pride and love. He was a devoted father and grandfather and also a loving son, brother and uncle. Our thoughts and sincere condolences are with his family and loved ones and we ask that their privacy is respected as they navigate this difficult period.

LEBBS is a volunteer-led charity that provides rapid, free transportation of emergency blood, plasma, samples, medication, and other vital medical supplies to NHS hospitals and healthcare sites across the county. Their riders and drivers give their time freely, often travelling at all hours, in any weather, to ensure lifesaving deliveries reach the people who need them most.

Although our donation is a modest one, we believe that every contribution helps keep this vital service running. Charities like LEBBS depend entirely on fundraising and the generosity of local people and businesses, which means every pound directly supports their vehicles, equipment, and operational costs.

As a company built on reliability and hard work, we deeply admire the commitment shown by the LEBBS volunteers. Their work saves lives, supports our hospitals, and strengthens our community. We are proud to stand behind them and hope our donation encourages others to learn more about the charity and consider supporting them too.

To find out more about Lincolnshire Blood Bikes and the essential service they provide, you can visit their website at: https://lebbs.org

A key part of this development has been the lime and cement stabilisation, carried out by our expert team. This process has transformed the ground conditions, creating a stronger, more stable platform that has streamlined the entire build process. It’s an area we’re renowned for, and it’s made a huge difference to both the speed and quality of construction on site. 

Following the initial site set-up, large-scale earthworks and formation works have been completed across the development areas. The site has been reduced to formation level, trimmed, and the first layers of stone have been placed and compacted across the full footprint of the new sports facilities. 

Heavy plant and machinery remain active on site, with grading, compaction and drainage installation continuing daily. The groundworks are now visibly taking shape, and the project remains on programme for its planned completion date. 

We’re very pleased with the progress to date and grateful for the ongoing cooperation of local users and neighbours while works are underway. Further updates will follow as the project continues to develop. 

Our works at The Outdoor Sports Centre in Southampton are progressing well, with significant visible progress on site over recent weeks. 

Following the initial site set-up, large-scale earthworks and formation works have now been completed across the development areas. The site has been reduced to formation level, trimmed and the first layers of stone have been placed and compacted across the full footprint of the new sports facilities. 

Heavy plant and machinery remain active on site, with grading, compaction and drainage installation continuing daily. The groundworks are now visibly taking shape, and the project remains on programme for its planned completion date. 

We are very pleased with the progress to date and grateful for the ongoing cooperation of local users and neighbours while works are underway. Further updates will follow as the project continues to develop. 

Working on behalf of R N Wooler & Co Ltd, our team is delivering essential civil engineering works valued at £34,000 over a three-week period. The scope includes the installation of new electrical infrastructure with reinforced concrete bases and cable ducts to support future fast-charging facilities on site. 

Excavation, ducting and foundation works are progressing well, with the structural concrete recently poured and curing. All activities are being completed while keeping the service area fully operational, with safety and minimal disruption to customers remaining our top priority. 

This project forms part of a wider national programme to increase the availability of fast electric vehicle charging points, supporting the ongoing transition to cleaner and more sustainable transport across the UK. 

Groundworks are well underway, with topsoil stripped, bulk excavation completed and formation levels shaped. Plant and machinery remain active on site as our team continues with cut and fill operations and preparation ahead of base installation. 

Once complete, Freman College will benefit from a modern and safe sports facility designed for both performance and long-term durability. 

Scope of works includes: 

• Construction of a new full-size 3G football pitch 

• Limonta DuoShape P+ 60mm synthetic surface and 20mm in-situ shockpad 

• Full LED floodlighting system providing 200 Lux average for match play, with dimmable settings for cross-field training 

• 4.5m high perimeter fencing, spectator areas and recessed goal zones 

• Access paths, hardstanding and spectator hardscape areas 

• Dividing netting, small-sided and full-size goals, and boot-wipers 

• Drainage infrastructure, attenuation and headwall systems, catchpits and land drains 

• Landscape reinstatement and biodiversity planting 

Further updates will follow as works progress on site. 

The project has delivered four state-of-the-art padel courts featuring fully enclosed panoramic systems and integrated lighting, designed to create a professional-standard environment for both members and visitors. 

Working closely with the client and project partners, our team oversaw the full build process with a focus on precision, quality and long-term durability. The result is a modern facility that blends seamlessly with the surrounding sports infrastructure, enhancing the overall offering for the Bluecoat Sports community. 

We are delighted to see the courts now handed over and ready for play, supporting active lifestyles, encouraging participation and contributing to the continued growth of sport in Horsham.