Architects are being invite to offer a quote for a new Pavilion for Macclesfield's South Park.

There are just three weeks left for architects to offer a quote to Macclesfield Town Council, who want it to be a true community building.

The Pavilion of the Park Vale Road greenspace is up for a revamp, and could host events such as weddings, along with a cafe which hopes to be a safe and accessible space similar to the West Park Cafe.

The new Pavilion hopes to have outdoor seating, disabled and changing places toilets, community rooms able to hire, as well as an information point for the park.

The park has had a pavilion overlooking its band stand for a number of generations, with the current pavilion building replacing the original following a devastating fire in 1970s.

This replacement building has been used most recently as a base for the now ceased Connexions service, and currently is used by the park maintenance team, and on an ad hoc basis by the Friends of South Park (Spark) and Macclesfield Parkrun.

The current pavilion is deemed not fit for purpose and is part-condemned (the upstairs) due to its lack of accessibility to the first floor. It is also in a poor state of repair.

The ground floor layout is not flexible for multiple user groups and the building's construction method means it is reaching the end of its lifespan and cannot be modernised.

The lack of a pavilion for a park of this scale fails to meet the needs of visitors to the park and also fails to provide opportunity for the park to be of greater value to the community and engage with park users.

Macclesfield Town Council, who have owned the land where the new Pavilion will go for three years, simply want local or not-local architects to get in touch to provide a quote for a new building to them. The design can come at a later stage if successful.

Cllr Sandy Livingstone, of Macclesfield Central Ward for Macclesfield Town Council is excited by the plans.

"The last few years, and the climate challenge has taught us the value of our parks and green space," he said.

"South Park is an asset for the town and is greatly valued by residents. The Town Council is delighted to bring forward ambitious plans on behalf of the community for a new pavilion, working with our partners in SPARK, and Cheshire East Council.

"We are looking for a creative design that will provide a chance for a cup of tea and a chat, be used by the community and make the park more accessible for all residents and visitors.

"As a Town Council we believe in supporting where at all possible local business. I would particularly like to see local firms of architects' step forward."

Cheshire East Council transferred Pavilion ownership powers to Macclesfield Town Council in summer 2019, and this is the next stage of MTC's big plans for South Park.

A spokesperson for Macclesfield Town Council told Macclesfield Nub News.

"The time scale for completion of the new Pavilion would be around two years."

"We have to get designs and then go through the procurement process to gain a construction company plus we will need approved planning permission.

"MTC is committed to funding a sustainable part of the project, plus we aim to do some crowdfunding and we are busy writing grants applications too!

"Thank you to any architect who submits a quote to us."

The deadline for architects to give quotes is midnight on February 14.

If you are interested in helping Macclesfield Town Council with this exciting project, please put a proposal together and send it to Laura Smith, Town Clerk [email protected] or call 07834371744.

A full specification for architects interested in providing a design quote - local or not - can be found here.

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