05 October 2009
Two key town centre projects that have added further momentum to Corby’s regeneration over the last 12 months were last night recognised at the Insider East Midlands Property Dinner 2009.
The prestigious awards dinner, hosted by broadcaster Giles Brandreth, brought together 500 public and private sector guests involved in the region’s commercial property and regeneration sector.
At the event, held at the East Midlands Conference Centre in Nottingham, Corby Railway Station was named as Regeneration Project of the Year and the Corby East Midlands International Pool beat off stiff competition to win the award for the Public Building of the Year.
Corby Railway Station, nominated for the award by North Northants Development Company (NNDC), has been one of the region’s most significant infrastructure projects in recent years. Completed on time and within budget in December 2008, the new £8.3m transport interchange ended the town’s 40 year wait for the return of a passenger rail service.
Delivered by a public and private sector partnership, including the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), East Midlands Development Agency (emda), East Midlands Trains, Network Rail and NNDC, the project paved the way for the new hourly service between Corby and London St Pancras, which was officially launched in April 2009 and has proved popular with local residents.
The new £20m 50 metre Corby East Midlands International Swimming Pool, which opened in July 2009 has been equally well received by the local community. The project edged out the new Stanwick Lakes Visitor Centre, another North Northamptonshire scheme, and Royal Derby Hospital to win this category and was praised by the Awards judges as a ‘true public building’.
Delivered by Corby Borough Council as part of the town’s ambitious ‘Parkland Gateway’ project that includes the fast emerging Corby Cube civic hub, the pool has provided the residents of Corby with greater opportunities to take part in a range of sporting and leisure activities.
Simon Evans, Chief Executive of NNDC, said:
“This is a true recognition of the high quality schemes that continue to be delivered in Corby and contribute to the growth and regeneration of North Northamptonshire. The event was attended by major developers and investors in the East Midlands commercial property sector who will no doubt have been impressed and encouraged to find out more about our local area.
Corby Borough Council, HCA, EMDA and the other partners that have funded and helped to deliver these two high quality projects deserve the fullest praise for their commitment and professionalism and NNDC continues to work with them to deliver further positive change.”
Deputy Leader of Corby Borough Council, Cllr Mark Pengelly said:
“This is absolutely brilliant news for Corby and shows the true spirit of partnership working between the many organisations involved. Both the 50m Pool and rail station are iconic buildings in the Borough and wouldn't have been achievable without the full support of Corby MP, Phil Hope.
The people of Corby deserve these award-winning facilities and have a state-of-the-art swimming pool and hourly service to London to be proud of. With the opening of the Cube in 2010, Corby still has a lot to be excited about and so we are all looking forward to the Property Awards again next year.”
Margaret Allen, Regional Director of the HCA in the East Midlands, said:
“This is another fantastic achievement for the project team and for Corby. From what looked like a mission impossible at the start, the team went to extensive lengths to bring this about and deliver the integrated transport hub on time, within budget.
The project is a shining example of partnership working between public and private sector organisations and this rewards the hard work and dedication of all involved. The HCA remains committed to building on the success of the station and delivering regeneration and affordable homes to further enhance Corby as an attractive place to live and work.”
Brian Goddard, emda's Head of Property, said:
“Corby station is playing a significant role in connecting the town and surrounding area in order to attract investment and boost the economic potential of this key growth zone. This award is a real accolade for all those involved in the project and I am delighted that emda’s investment will leave a lasting legacy for generations to come.”
Phil Hope MP said:
“I am absolutely delighted by these wins!
“I want to congratulate Corby Borough Council on winning Public Building of Year. I am proud that this celebrates the Council’s huge courage in bringing the whole project into being and its commitments to the health and well-being of its people, to the future development of the town and to the care of the environment.
“Winning the Regeneration Project of the Year for Corby Station shows just how important the opening of the station is to the future development of the town. The impact of Corby Station is still in its early days. I know that it will continue to give an increasing benefit to the local economy and the wider growth and regeneration of the community.”