Newcastle University’s £16.2m ‘state-of-the-art’ Sports Centre takes shape

Work on the new £16.2m Sports Centre at Newcastle University has reached a fresh milestone.

University staff gathered recently with lawyers from Muckle LLP and a team from contractor Clugston Construction to watch early sections of the steel frame lowered into position.

The 64,200 sq ft building will house an eight-court sports hall, four squash courts and lab space for the university’s Sport and Exercise Science department, along with a strength and conditioning room, spin studio and gym.

The next stage of the project, located on Richardson Road near the new Park View Student Village, will include the installation of suspended concrete floor slabs and external profile cladding and glazing.

Prof. Suzanne Cholerton, pro-vice-chancellor for education and project sponsor, said of the project: “It’s very exciting to see the building starting to take shape.

“This is a key project that will enable us to continue to provide support to our top-performing teams and individual athletes and make sport more accessible to all students and staff.”

She continued: “The new facilities will support the BSc Sports and Exercise Science programme.

“Led by Prof. Emma Stevenson, this degree programme provides a strong scientific foundation in sport and exercise-related sciences and an understanding of how these relate to human performance and health.”

Newcastle law firm Muckle LLP advised the university on its construction and engineering contract with Clugston, procured through the university’s major contracts framework.

John Manning, contracts manager at Clugston, said: “We are delighted to have reached this milestone which enables people to appreciate the scale of the new facility.

“Getting to this point on programme is a testimony to the hard work and collaboration of our team, our suppliers and the university’s estate team.”

Muckle partner Lucilla Waugh said: “It is a pleasure to have advised Newcastle University on this state-of-the-art development, which will add to its already impressive estate and further its reputation as one of the most innovative universities in the country.”

The Sports Centre is due for completion by Summer 2019.