Sport NI will update this page as questions are received and answered about the programme, if you have a question please email: BuildingBetterSportsFacilities@sportni.net
1. Can you clarify the closing date for this grant?
The deadline for the submission of applications is 12noon on Monday 4th October 2021.
2. Facility Maintenance Equipment – is equipment such as strimmer and lawn mowers eligible (some are asking for non-pitch maintenance and just for general upkeep of their facility)?
Sport NI will consider applications for facility maintenance equipment under the following circumstances;
3. Planning Permission – is it required to be able to apply for this programme? A requirement for projects that spend in 21/22 financial year. Does this rule them out or will we hold them on a long list?
Planning permission is not an eligibility requirement at application stage however it will be a deciding factor in the allocation of any award.
4. Security of Tenure – is 10 years required when applying (clubs using Council facilities, some awaiting tenure)?
Please refer to the Building Better Sports Facilities Information and Guidance Notes page 3 – Organisations who operate (but do not own their own facilities) must be able to evidence security of tenure of a minimum of 10 years at the time of application.
5. Can this help fund the clubs new pitch development?
Sport NI will consider applications seeking investment for pitch developments. However, the total project cost MUST NOT exceed £30k.
6. Can this go towards a £50,000 project?
No. Please refer to the Building Better Sports Facilities Information and Guidance Notes Section 5 (projects that cannot be funded).
7. Floodlighting and bollards suitable for a walking path around the club. The path Project has been approved but not started.
Sport NI will only consider standalone projects with a total cost of £30k. Please note that all works will be procured through a Public Procurement Process.
8. VAT query- Total project cost £36,000 and the club can claim 100% VAT can they ask for £30,000
No. Please refer to the Building Better Sports Facilities Information and Guidance Notes Section 2.2 (Award Thresholds) and Section 5 (projects that cannot be funded).
9. Can profitable organisations avail of the grant
Please refer to the Building Better Sports Facilities Information and Guidance Notes Section 3 (Who Can Apply).
10. Recognised sports through Sport NI?
Recognised by Sport NI – meaning that the governing body is named on the Recognition list, per the UK Recognition policy as implemented by the UK Sports Councils - click here to access the Recognition list
11. Are permanent cricket nets eligible?
Sport NI will consider permanently fixed cricket nets.
12. What sports equipment is eligible?
Sport NI will consider sports equipment that is permanently fixed.
13. Would repairs to or replacing a roof be eligible?
Sport NI will consider applications seeking the construction of a new roof.
14. Painting walls, adding storage racks and new carpets.
No. Organisations will consider applications under the following circumstances;
15. Is a play park at the local club eligible under the Building Better Sports Facilities Programme?
A play park is not seen as sports infrastructure and therefore this is ineligible.
16. Definition of multisport?
Multisport is a range of recognised sporting activities
17. Are quotations required or is an estimate from Quantity Surveyor ok for submitting application?
Quotations are not required at the application stage but Sport NI require the costings table to be as accurate as possible.
18. Upgrading of the current floodlights to LED?
Sport NI would consider the upgrade of floodlights to LED, however the total project cost must not exceed £30k.
19. Can an applicant submit more than one application?
No.
20. Canopy attached to club house?
Sport NI would not consider a canopy that extends the social facilities therefore this is ineligible.
21. Refurbishments and Replacements of existing facilities?
The aim of Building Better Sports Facilities is to improve the capital infrastructure of sporting organisations in Northern Ireland rather than the refurbishment and/or replacement (like for like) of existing facilities.
22. Scoreboard?
Sport NI would consider a permanently fixed scoreboard to be eligible.
23. Removal of bank behind goals to allow walking path to be continued around the full pitch?
Sport NI would consider this to be ineligible.
24. Installation of catch nets?
Sport NI would consider this to be eligible.
Sport NI would consider this to be eligible.
25. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has very recently been recognised by sport ni. Does this mean that bjj clubs can avail from this grant?
Recognised by Sport NI – meaning that the governing body is named on the Recognition list, per the UK Recognition policy as implemented by the UK Sports Councils - click here to access the Recognition list
26. Can one Club make two applications?
For two different projects No. One application per club.
27. Having spoken to a few suppliers they have expressed concerns that delivery times may not be achievable within the time frame stated. Price increases also a potential problem.
Sport NI will only consider funding projects that are budget and will be delivered before 31st March 2022.
28. for sports that do not have a fixed ‘field of play’ (sailing) will equipment be considered that is essential for access and running of these activities as it cannot be ‘fixed’?
Sport NI will consider sports equipment that is permanently fixed.
29. If new storage facilities are being applied for is it ok to include improvements to access way to those facilities as part of the application?
Sport NI will consider applications of this nature.
29. If new storage facilities are being applied for is it ok to include improvements to access way to those facilities as part of the application?
Sport NI will consider applications of this nature.
30. Is a walking/running track around the perimeter of a pitch eligible?
Sport NI will only consider standalone projects with a total cost of £30k.
31. Can a senior club and their youth section apply separately?
No. One application per club.
32. What monitoring will occur at the back end of the programme?
Monitoring will take place on completion of the project.
33. Section 5 Monitoring returns asks us to identify a specific age group. What if your project benefits all age groups shown plus fundamentals and under 18. Will the project assessment mark down an application that has to identify 1 age group.
No.
34. If we are apply to upgrade premise and one item is found to be ineligible would the entire application be rejected?
No. Sport NI would remove the ineligible item of work.
35. Can the application include a number of aspects e.g. ball stops, upgrade of heating system, groundworks, in the knowledge that total cost is less than £30k
Sport NI will consider multiple aspects within one application.
36. We have a ball wall area that is 15 year old with a concrete floor, would the grant cover laying a 4G covering on the concrete to make it a safer playing area for children? We have had a few injuries from falls.
Sport NI will consider applications of this nature.
37. Is grounds perimeter fencing eligible to improve security?Sport NI will consider applications of this nature.
38. Is an upgrade to a heating system that is heating the social area as well as changing rooms permitted?
Sport NI will consider new heating systems under the programme.
39. Can you please clarify is a major revamp of 40 year old changing rooms eligible?
40. Would improvements to toilet facilities qualify?
Sport NI will consider applications of this nature.
41. Are facilities for spectators eg mobility impaired car parking eligible? Are spectators considered as participants in sport?Sport NI will consider applications of this nature.
42. Point 7 in the FAQs details a lighting project as part of an overall pathway project, Golf club considering the development of buggy paths to accommodate older members, is this fundable
Sport NI will only consider standalone projects with a total cost of £30k. Please note that all works will be procured through a Public Procurement Process.
43. How does a Club know if they are recognised as a sport by Sport NI?
Dragon boating Recognised by Sport NI – meaning that the governing body is named on the Recognition list, per the UK Recognition policy as implemented by the UK Sports Councils - click here to access the Recognition list
44. Would purchase of a container for equipment storage purposes for equipment be highly scored?
Assessment scores will be based on the information provided by applicant organisations.
45. Is upgrade of existing changing room floor from concrete slabs eligible – to include levelling and cover with non-slip vinyl cover for health and safety and ease of cleaning in light of covid 19 requirements
Sport NI will consider applications of this nature.
46. Will LED floodlighting and new fencing as part of an overall pitch upgrade be suitable to be funded? The pitch improval will not be sought to be covered.
Sport NI would not consider works for a larger project to be eligible.
47. Can an application be made to provide a storage area?
Sport NI will consider applications of this nature.
48. Can foundation works for a spectator stand be applied for if cost is less than £30k?
Sport NI would not consider groundworks for a future project to be eligible.
49. Who puts the projects onto e-tenders? SportNI?
Successful applicants, Sport NI and CPD will work in partnership to procure each project.
50. We have a relatively small window of opportunity to do the works. Can the work commence and the funding used retrospectively?
No. This is not possible.
51. Would connection to gas supply and new gas boiler be eligible?
Sport NI will consider applications of this nature.
52. Will preference be given to projects that already have planning in place?
Planning status will not be considered as part of the assessment process
53. Can application be made for groundworks for a future pitch development as long as cost is less than £30k?
Sport NI would not consider groundworks for a future project to be eligible
54. Organisations that are part way through a leasehold agreement (i.e. 7 years left on a 25 year agreement) are they eligible?
Please refer to the Building Better Sports Facilities Information and Guidance Notes page 3 – Organisations who operate (but do not own their own facilities) must be able to evidence security of tenure of a minimum of 10 years at the time of application.
55. You mentioned under items not funded, mobile items – a lot of clubs depend on moveable goal post nets, is this not permitted under this grant scheme?
Sport NI will consider sports equipment that is permanently fixed.
56. William, just to confirm. Upgrading facilities such as electrical work / plumbing included here?
Sport NI will consider applications of this nature.
Please note that all works will be procured through a Public Procurement Process. Does this mean that quotes we receive will not be used as it will go out to the open public?
57. Would grass cutting equipment be eligible for funding?
Sport NI will consider applications of this nature.
58. Where can I obtain details of the procurement process?
All works will be procured through a Public Procurement Process.
59. Would fire exit refurb be eligible as the current one does not meet disability standards?
Sport NI will consider applications of this nature.
60. Are renewable energy technologies and energy efficiency measures eligible?
In the same application? Sport NI will consider applications of this nature.
61. Could the fund be used for toilet facilities for users with disabilities?
Sport NI will consider applications of this nature.
62. Is equipment to clean a synthetic pitch eligible?
Sport NI will consider applications of this nature.
63. What will happen if prices keep rising and the cost of the work exceeds the 30K at by the time the procurement is obtained?
Sport NI will only consider standalone projects with a total cost of £30k
64. is robotic grass cutting equipment eligible?
Sport NI will consider applications of this nature.
65. Would a safety boat be eligible for funding?
Sport NI will not consider applications of this nature.
66. Can the fund be used to purchase spectator accommodation in line with the future IFA intermediate guidelines – within the £25k limit?
Sport NI will consider applications of this nature.
