On your marks! Major sports centre revamp hits start line

Wednesday 4 February 2015

The latest stage in a £14m redevelopment of the University of St Andrews Sports facilities has been launched by Principal and Vice-Chancellor Professor Louise Richardson.

The current Sports Centre was built in 1968 when the student body was fewer than 2,000. The sports the students took part in were limited and the facilities at the time did not service the local community. However today, the student population exceeds 8,200 while the Sport Centre also works to encourage participation across the local community.

Sports Centre redevelopment kicks off

The £5.55m works, supported by the University’s 600th Anniversary fundraising campaign, will see a brand new and extended Sports Centre created at the existing St Leonard’s Road site, including a new eight-court sports hall, in additional to a major refurbishment and extension of the current building.

A new reception area and six new changing rooms will also be created while the access road to the centre is widened and a new temporary car park is created to the rear. The new sports hall will also be able to accommodate removable seating for 400 people.

Following completion of the new sports hall in December 2015, the next phase will involve refurbishing the current Sports Centre building, converting the present facilities into a new 130 station fitness suite and reallocating space to create a new strength and conditioning suite, with the aim of being among the best facilities in Scotland.

Sports Centre redevelopment mock up

The final phase will see a four-court indoor tennis centre constructed adjacent to the Sports Centre and plans are currently underway for building a new boathouse, off-site, on the River Tay.

Director of Sport and Exercise Stephen Stewart said:

“Our student athletes are determined. They frequently top the leagues of competitive student sport and are in demand both nationally and internationally. All of our students’ sporting successes have been achieved without the aid of ultramodern facilities; imagine what they can achieve with our continued commitment to their sporting future. The plans we have put in place, to redevelop our Sports Centre, will address these needs.”


Ends

Issued by the University of St Andrews Communications Office, contactable on 01334 462530 or [email protected].


Category Sport

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