Work on one of the ‘greenest’ sports facilities in UK – in Ravelin Park – has started with the groundbreaking ceremony.
The arena is expected to open in Spring 2021, and will be open to students, staff and the community. Over £400 million will be put into the campus over the next 10 years as part of the varsity’s Estate Masterplan.
University of Portsmouth and Wates Construction have formally marked the commencement of construction.
Once completed, the venue will possess multipurpose studios, ski simulator, squash courts, climbing wall, eight-lane 25m swimming pool, 175 station fitness suites, and an eight-court sports hall. It will also host teaching facilities, office space and an underground car park for visitors.
The arena will be so designed so that it can set a benchmark in sustainability and energy efficiency. The design has already got thumbs-up from BREEAM, UK – the world’s leading sustainability assessment method for master planning projects, infrastructure and buildings.
In fact, the building could become UK’s first sports facility with a swimming pool to be rated ‘Outstanding’ by BREEAM.
Alec Jackman, Business Unit Director of Wates Construction Southern Home Counties, commented, “This event signifies an exciting point in the project’s life as we formally mark building work commencing and the efforts of our dedicated site team delivering what will be an impressive, state-of-the-art leisure facility. This is an aspirational project for the university boasting ambitious environmental credentials and we’re thrilled to have been charged with its development.”
The project will also envisage upgradation to Ravelin Park, increasing the trees in the park keeping the sustainability element in mind, opening up views to the historic buildings on Museum Road, new routes for wayfarers, and an entrance plaza between the sports building and the university library.
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