A new multi-million pound Sports Hub at the University of Warwick is one step closer to completion after contractor Willmott Dixon hosted a topping out ceremony today, which traditionally signifies the structure has reached its maximum height.

Due to complete in March 2019, the new Sports Hub will create one of the best sports facilities at a UK university – including the UK’s largest gym facility in the HE sector – aligning with the University of Warwick’s ambition to be the “most physically active campus community in the UK by 2020”. Once complete, it will be available to all students, staff and the general public.

Replacing the current sports centre on the campus, the Hub will feature a sports hall, a swimming pool, fitness suites, climbing and bouldering walls and flexible studio spaces, as well as squash courts, outdoor 3G sports pitches and netball courts. It will also be the official training ground of Coventry’s Wasps Netball super-league team.

The afternoon included a tour of the internal areas including the 12-lane swimming pool, as well as speeches on the main roof from key representatives, including Lisa Dodd-Mayne, director of sport and active communities at University of Warwick, and Peter Owen, managing director of Willmott Dixon in the Midlands.

Speaking of the facility, Lisa Dodd-Mayne said: “The Hub will mark a major step towards seeing the University of Warwick achieve its ambition to have the most active campus community in the UK.

“The building will house some top quality facilities, and will give all of its users the opportunity to be active in their own unique way. It will become a destination facility for our students, staff and local community, delivering an outstanding experience for all.”

This is the second project that the University has partnered with Willmott Dixon to deliver, following the completion of the Oculus Building, the University’s flagship central teaching facility, in 2016.

Peter Owen added: “This is a fantastic project to be a part of, creating cutting edge sporting facilities for the community at University of Warwick, which will really benefit its users.

“Our team has an excellent track record of producing leading leisure facilities and we are delighted to be back on campus and working again with University of Warwick as their partner to unlock future growth.”

For more information on the centre, visit https://www.willmottdixon.co.uk/projects/university-of-warwick-sports-hub

31 January 2018

 

Contact:

For more information please contact Annie Brafield, Amy Macdonald or Stephanie Marshall at Cartwright Communications on stephanie@cartwrightcommunications.co.uk or 0115 853 2110.

 

Notes to Editors:

About Willmott Dixon

Willmott Dixon is a construction company that works on a number of high profile projects across the UK. Willmott Dixon has delivered construction, fit-out, property development and maintenance services since it was established in 1852.

As one of the largest privately owned companies specialising in construction, development and support services, Willmott Dixon has been built on strong family values of loyalty, respect, honesty and openness and works to be a sustainable, community engaged company that enriches the local community through its projects and opportunities. http://www.willmottdixon.co.uk/

About University of Warwick

The University of Warwick has over 25,000 students and over 6,000 staff. According to the Government’s Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014, 87% of research is “world-leading” (3*) or “internationally excellent” (4*), and the University ranked 7th overall in the UK (based on multifaculty institutions).

In 2017 it was ranked 8^th in the UK by The Guardian 2018, 8^th by The Complete University Guide 2018, and 9^th by The Times and The Sunday Times 2018.

Its regional impact study shows that in 2014/15 it generated £1bn GVA a year to the regional economy and supported 17,900 jobs across the West Midlands. The University was commissioned to write the ten-year cultural strategy for Coventry City Council and is a principal partner supporting Coventry’s successful bid to become the UK City of Culture 2021.

About the Sport and Wellness Hub:

We aim to have the most physically active campus community in the UK by 2020, offering the world-class sporting experience you'd expect of a world-class University. That's why we're investing in a new Sport and Wellness Hub on campus and in the improvement of our existing sports facilities.

These new developments come in the form of a “hub and spokes” model. The new Sports facility will be the main centre for sporting activity on campus, with our developed and enhanced existing facilities connected to it as “spokes”.

Located off Leighfield Road, this new facility will offer a new sports hall, a flexible swimming pool, fitness suites, climbing and bouldering walls, squash courts, flexible studio spaces, a welcoming café and outdoor 3G sports pitches and netball courts.

Our plans for this new Sport Hub are a part of our wider strategy to encourage a healthy University life and to bring world-class facilities to our international campus. Once complete, it will be available to our students, our staff and the general public.

Contact:

Tom Frew - Senior Press and Media Relations Manager:

E: a dot t dot frew at warwick dot ac dot uk
T: +44(0)7785433155

Annie Brafield, Amy Macdonald or Stephanie Marshall at Cartwright Communications on:

E: stephanie at cartwrightcommunications dot co dot uk

T: 0115 853 2110.