Project Overview
Cranfield Pavilion provides new changing rooms for teams, separate referee changing space, a teaching hall with full-height curtain walling, and kitchen facility.
This project comprised the construction of a new 3G football pitch and sports pavilion for Cranfield Parish Council and Bedfordshire FA.
The 3G pitch has multiple layouts and dividing nets, with low energy LED floodlights. The external works included creating new access routes and parking for Cranfield United Football Club including associated soft and hard landscaping. The construction works also included the installation of a culvert to drain the site and over spill for a nearby balancing pond.
A strict traffic management plan was implemented to consider the local community.
The new facilities were constructed on a greenfield site adjacent to a new build housing estate and the existing Cranfield Football Club pitch. As a result of this, SDC implemented a strict traffic management plan, only allowing construction traffic through the housing estate, with an alternative route provided for contractor and visitor access. Letters were also distributed to residents throughout the project to keep them informed of site plans and progress.
Core Team
Gary Wykes
Board Director
Gary started his construction career at 16 as a Trainee Quantity Surveyor, combining hands-on experience with studies at Kettering and Northampton Colleges, where he earned ONC and HNC qualifications. He later obtained a part-time degree from Nottingham Trent University, completing it in five years thanks to his prior qualifications.
In the mid-1980s, Gary worked with a second company, managing projects in Hatfield and Aylesbury, before seeking a role closer to home. Joining SDC in the late 1980s, he progressed from Quantity Surveyor to Senior Quantity Surveyor and then Manager of the Special Projects Division. During the early 1990s recession, Gary played a key role in restructuring the division, which focused on smaller-scale projects. This effort helped position SDC for long-term success in a challenging economic climate.
Appointed to SDC’s Board of Directors in 2003, Gary oversees the Special Projects Division, manages key projects, and contributes to strategic and financial planning. Between 2004 and 2007, he played a role in transitioning SDC to an Employee Benefit Trust (EBT), ensuring stability and employee-centred governance. His leadership alongside the other Board Directors has been pivotal in navigating challenges and ensuring stability.
Gary has fostered enduring relationships with major clients like Jaguar Land Rover and the University of Cambridge, emphasising quality and client satisfaction. Over decades, he has supported SDC’s evolution from a more informal operation to a professional, structured organisation. As the company continues to grow and adapt, he remains committed to supporting its ongoing success and ensuring it is well-positioned to meet future challenges.
Graham Staughton
Special Projects Manager
Graham is one of SDC’s longest-serving employees, having joined the company in 1981. With over 40 years of experience, his career has evolved significantly, and he now leads the day-to-day operations of the Special Projects division. Since his appointment as Department Manager, his leadership and experience have been key drivers in the continued success and growth of the Special Projects Division
David Fairley
Contracts Manager
Ben Marwood
Contracts Manager
Matt Wells
Planning Manager
Uppingham Cricket Pavilion
The historic cricket pavilion, built in 1923, underwent refurbishment to repair and reinvigorate.
