Home > News > A £7m sports centre for students, staff and the local community is to be built next to the City North Campus.

A £7m sports centre for students, staff and the local community is to be built next to the City North Campus.

8th May 2008

Birmingham City University has received planning consent for its proposed sports centre from the city council. The project will be sited on the former Ansells Sports Club site off Wellhead Lane, Perry Barr.

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Following a lengthy consultation period with stakeholders including the University’s Students’ Union, Sport England and Birmingham City Council, the centre will boast a wide range of sports facilities for students and staff of the University and members of the local community.

The centre will house a sports hall big enough to accommodate eight badminton courts, an 80-station fitness suite and dance and aerobic studios. The planning consent also allows the future development of an all weather pitch.

The building designed by Warwick-based architects, Robotham Architecture, will cost around £7m. Work is planned to commence in July with completion before the start of the academic year September 2009.

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Location of the new sports centre on Google Maps.

Graham Rhodes, Director of Estates, said: “This is an exciting development for the University and one we are proud to share with the local community, It’s part of a wider long-term estates strategy - we are committed to delivering a range of first-class facilities.“

This will be the second flagship sporting centre to be opened by the University.

The Pavilion, in Moor Lane, already provides the local community, businesses and sports teams with a unique environment for corporate and social events.

A £4.5 million purpose-built facility, run by Birmingham City University Students’ Union, it combines modern contemporary interiors with a backdrop of green fields. Access to all the facilities is available to the community, schools and local sports teams.

It serves the community for civil weddings, receptions, funeral wakes, private parties and dances plus family fun days, live bands and disco nights. Corporate use include conferences, seminars, educational courses, Christmas parties and team-building days.

Eighteen hectares of space allows team competitions, with 20 heated changing rooms equipped with en-suite showers and toilets.

For further information please contact Birmingham City University Media Relations Office on 0121 331 6738, email press@bcu.ac.uk or out of hours on 07967 271 532.

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