New Sports Pitches Opened at York St John

FIFA World Cup football referee Howard Webb has officially opened the new Phase 2 outdoor sports pitches at York St John University.

As part of a wider sports campus designed by Watson Batty Architects the new facilities include floodlit 3G and sand dressed full size artificial turf pitches. New outdoor tennis and netball courts are provided alongside a new car / coach park area.

The University's future aspirations for the site, which was formally the sports ground of Nestle Rowntree include the construction of a multi-million pound indoor five court sports hall alongside a two storey sports pavilion building (Phase 3). The prpopsals which have been drawing up by Watson Batty Architects look to start on site this Summer with completion anticipated Spring 2016.

The facilities will provide the University with first class regional standard sports facilities for students, staff and the local community. Both York City FC and York City Knights RFLC will also have access to the facilities.

Another Leisure Centre on Site

 Watson Batty Architects are on site delivering another Local Authority leisure facility for Newark and Sherwood District Council, building on the excellent work recently undertaken in Washington for Sunderland Council.

Main Contractor, R G Carter commenced with the construction of Newark Leisure Centre in December 2014. When complete the centre will replace the town's existing Grove Leisure Centre and will feature a 25m community main pool with 6 swimming lanes, a 20m x 8.5m teaching pool, a sports hall, two exercise studios, two squash courts with a movable wall and a 200 station fitness suite with all the associated changing, administrative and staff accommodation facilities.

Works are progressing well on site and are scheduled for completion in Spring 2016.

A flyover video of the construction site can be found here - https://vimeo.com/124826941

Phase 2 of York St John University’s Sports Park Complete

A range of new floodlit outdoor sports facilities have recently been completed by York St John University. Representing a second phase of major investment in the former Nestle Rowntree playing fields on Haxby Road planned construction work will now focus on delivering a new £3.5m sports pavilion and sports hall in the Summer.

Watson Batty were originally appointed to masterplan the 80 acre site to provide the University with a high quality sports campus. This led to subsequent commissions for the practice, and our experienced sports sector team,including the design of a new full size 3G artificial pitch, full size sand dressed pitch, 5no outdoor tennis courts (including 2no netball courts) and a new car/coach park. The next phase provides all the necessary changing and teaching facilities to support Phase 2 and grass pitches alongside an indoor five court sized sports hall.  

The new 3G pitch was recently certified by the FA/RFL and RFU and will enable extended community use by York City Knights Rugby League Club and York City Football Club.

Planning Granted for York St John Sports Hub

Full planning permission was granted last week by City of York Council for York St John University’s proposed £3.5m sports hub building. Designed by WBA as part of the 70 acre Haxby Road sports campus development, the new hub building represents a significant third phase of investment by YSJU. 

Proposals for the sports hub come following the recently completed floodlit outdoor artificial sports pitches and courts. The facility will provide team changing rooms for players and officials; a dedicated strength and conditioning suite; a five court sized sports hall as well as flexible learning and social facilities with viewing areas for both indoor and outdoor activities. 

Construction work is due to commence on site this Summer.

Exciting future for Guiseley AFC

Watson Batty Architects are delighted to support their local football team Guiseley AFC with plans for the redevelopment of their existing Nethermoor Park ground.  A planning application has recently been submitted to Leeds City Council by the Conference North football club which includes new covered spectator stands, a new changing room facility, and a new two storey community hub building.  Proposed improvements to the ground will increase the spectator capacity to 4000 allowing the Club to meet league requirements when promoted to the Conference Premier division – Step 1 of the national league system – just one promotion from the Football League.

  

The new plans represent a significant long term investment by the Club not only to support their football aspirations but to serve and benefit their local community seven days a week. The new hub building will include a ground floor social enterprise café whilst on the first floor a multi-functional social space provides match day hospitality.

On non match days the upper floor can be divided into three separate spaces with pitch-side views providing areas for learning, meetings, entertaining, and use by various local community groups and local schools. 

A number of established community groups, programmes and prominent individuals have already pledged their support towards the new development including AVSED, Action for Children and Stuart Andrew MP.

Progress at Washington Leisure Centre

Following the Ground Breaking Ceremony in February of this year, construction work is underway on the £11m Washington Leisure Centre for Sunderland City Council. 

The steel frame of the building is complete along with the precast concrete floors and stairs. Concrete work for the two pool tanks and the external cladding is in progress.

Using BIM Modelling we have assisted Pellikaan Construction in coordinating consultants and subcontractors information, eliminating any clashes between packages on site and allowing a complete design review of the construction before it gets to site.

When complete, the facility will create a sports hub for Washington and the surrounding areas containing; a 25m, 6 lane pool; a learner pool with water features including two water sides; a 4 court sports hall; an international standard trampoline hall; 2 squash courts; 100 stations wellness centre; 2 dance studios; with associated administration and changing facilities. Externally the site will hold 6 five-a-side floodlit football pitches and a 100 space car park.

The New Leisure Centre also delivers sustainable benefits with the inclusion of a 'green' sedum roof  across half the building. The green roof will provide habitat for insects attracting birds and other creatures while aiding a sustainable drainage solution by holding onto and releasing rain water slowly.

The project is programmed for completion in Spring 2015. Once the new centre is open demolition of the existing centre will commence to make way for the new car park and the external pitches and landscaping.

All Change for Arnold Leisure Centre

Nottingham’s Paralympic silver medallist James Crisp and Commonwealth champion Sasha Matthews, officially reopened the completed refurbished Arnold Leisure Centre. The £1.2m project, completed over three phases during 2013/14, culminated in a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of the final phase bringing the new village style changing facilities into use along with improvements to the pool hall. All three phases were designed and run from our Loughborough office which now has a number of leisure projects under its belt.  Previous phases of the Arnold Leisure Centre included the refurbishment of the first floor 200 seat Bonington Theatre and Bar Lounge, and a new extension to the Centre’s main reception and entrance foyer.

In a local press interview just ahead of the official reopening Centre Manager Shelley Webster said: 

“Before, the changing rooms were very old and cold, and no matter what you did to them or how hard you cleaned them they looked dirty.  Now, they are really spacious and warm. We’ve had really good feedback already with people saying that the new centre really has the wow factor. It’s a much nicer place to work, and a good working environment makes for happy staff. I feel really proud to work here again.”

Leader of the Council, Councillor John Clarke added;

“This is a great boost for Arnold, we can now offer local residents a fantastic theatre, newly refurbished swimming facilities and a new car park, with free parking, across the road. We think that residents will be very pleased with the work that has been done and they will be able to enjoy the facilities for years to come.”

Further Success in Liverpool

We are delighted to be appointed by Liverpool City Council to support the design and delivery of their new flagship Lifestyles Gym in Millennium House. The commission for the project which is located on Victoria Street in the Liverpool City Centre comes following our recent success at Liverpool Hope University supporting the construction of the £10m Sports Health and Science Development.

The Millennium House scheme will see the creation of a state of the art fitness centre which forms part of the wider regeneration of the whole building. We will be working closely with the Council and BLOK Architects to extend the design concepts for the gym and develop a new ‘brand’ which will be rolled out across all Council sport and leisure facilities in the city.

University of Huddersfield Alumni Celebrate Student Central

Alumni from all over the UK will meet to celebrate the opening of the Student Central building at the University of Huddersfield on the 4th April. 

We are delighted that Mark Sidding our Director for Education, Sport and Leisure, and a member of Alumni himself, has been asked to play a key role in the event. Mark also features as an ‘inspiring graduate’ in the 2015/16 University prospectus. Student Central has received significant acclaim from within the University and has significantly enhanced the facilities on campus for both students, staff and visitors. The event is an opportunity for ex-students to visit and experience the changes that have happened on campus over the last 2 years. The Vice Chancellor, Bob Cryan will be attending, and we wish the University every success for the event.

For further information please visit our website by clicking here

Sheffield Hallam University Framework Appointment

Watson Batty Architects are to continue a successful and ongoing relationship with Sheffield Hallam University for a further 12 months following the extension of the existing framework until February 2015. We were successfully appointed onto the framework in 2011 and have worked closely with both the Estates Department and Faculty of Sport to design and deliver the University’s multi-million pound Graham Solley Sports Development Centre at Bawtry Road. 

We are delighted with the positive comments and feedback from across the University regarding the development. We look forward to working with the University over the next year.

Planning Application lodged for £10 million Newark Leisure Centre

Watson Batty have submitted proposals to Newark and Sherwood District Council Planning Department to construct the new Newark Leisure Centre. The plans, if approved, will see a new Leisure Centre replacing the existing, out-dated Grove Leisure Centre in Newark which was built in 1968.

Proposals for the new facility include a 6 lane 25m main swimming pool; a ‘leading edge’ 8.5 x 20m teaching pool;  a 4 court sports hall; 2 squash courts with movable walls between for flexibility of use; a 200 station fitness suite; two exercise studios; a café overlooking the pool, associated administration and changing facilities. 

A new access road with dedicated cycle and foot ways will be formed on Bowbridge Road giving access to the site. Along with the provision of a 175 space car park an attractive  “Civic Hub” is to be formed in front of the main entrance acting as a meeting point for the centres visitors.

Sheffield Hallam University Sports Park Shortlisted for RICS Awards

Watson Batty Architects are pleased to announce that the recently completed Sheffield Hallam University Sports Park has been shortlisted for 2 awards at the RICS Pro Yorkshire Awards 2014. The facility has been shortlisted for the Community Benefit and the Tourism & Leisure Categories.

Chair of the RICS Pro Yorkshire Awards 2014 judging panel, Colin Harrop, ‎Director, Jones Lang LaSalle, said: 

“I’m delighted to announce the shortlist for the RICS Pro Yorkshire Awards 2014. The awards showcase the very best in property and construction across the region. Competition this year has been stronger than ever - with 46 projects shortlisted, there is a lot for Yorkshire to be proud of. 

The shortlisting comes following positive feedback on the facilities since it was completed in September 2013 with John Senior, Estate Department, Sheffield Hallam University adding that the facilities offer; - “An extremely striking building designed to high standards. It was very warmly received on completion and continue to please all who visit” 

Washington Leisure Centre Starts On Site

Construction of the new Washington Leisure Centre started on the 21st February 2014. The ceremony was attended by local Councillors, representatives from Sunderland City Council Project Management Team, Sports Operators,  Pellikaan Construction and our team at Watson Batty. The project is programmed for completion in Spring 2015.

When complete, the facility will create a sports hub for Washington and the surrounding areas containing; a 25m 6 lane pool, a learner pool with water features including two water sides, a 4 court sports hall, an international standard trampoline hall, 2 squash courts, 100 stations wellness centre, 2 dance studios, associated administration and changing facilities, 6 no. 5-a-side floodlit football pitches and a 100 space car park.

The site is located on a strategic link between Washington city centre and Princess Ann’s Park and accommodates one of the main public rights of way. The design proposals look to enhance the urban context, creating a welcoming and interactive building, promoting sport participation. 

For further information please click the following links:

SR News

ITV News Tyne Tees

University of Huddersfield Student Central Open Ahead of Programme

Photographs courtesy of The University of Huddersfield and the Huddersfield Examiner

The new £22.5m Student Central Building designed by Watson Batty Architects opened its doors on Friday 10th January. The ribbon was cut by the Vice Chancellor Bob Cryan and Nosheen Dad the President of the Students’ Union.

Having worked closely with the University to see the project brought to completion, we are delighted with the positive responses which have received. Mr Cyran stated ‘I am absolutely bowled over’, whilst Peter Slee, the Deputy Vice Chancellor responded ‘Just fabulous’. The successful delivery of this project is also thanks to the efforts of GB Building Solutions who we have been working with closely since the project started on site in May 2012. The new building provides new sports facilities, including an 8 court sports hall, squash courts, fitness suite and exercise studios, together with a new centre for the Students’ Union, Student Services and catering on campus. 

The contemporary design has also been well received by the University which features mesh facades onto Wakefield Road providing a fantastic opportunity to create dramatic lighting effects enhancing the impact of the building at night. These were switched on as part of the Christmas celebrations by members of the Huddersfield Giants Rugby Team.

The official opening of the building will be later this year.

WBA Appointed for Liverpool Hope University Science and Sport Project

We are delighted to announce our appointment with Liverpool Hope University to support the detailed design and construction delivery of their major science and sport development. The £7.8m extension and refurbishment project will enable a greater integration between the faculties of science and sport on the Hope Park Campus. The planning application was submitted late last year with anticipated approval in early 2014.  

The engagement continues a successful string of recent appointments at York St John, Huddersfield, Sheffield Hallam, Nottingham, and Bradford Universities.

Official Opening Ceremony of Sheffield Hallam University’s Sports Centre

In tribute to the late Graham Solley, Sheffield Hallam University's new 22-acre Sports Centre was officially launched on Wednesday by the university's vice-chancellor Professor Philip Jones.

Watson Batty's specialist sports and leisure team worked on this exciting project from inception to completion liaising closely with the University's Estates and Sports Departments to design and detail the facility. Watson Batty were subsequently novated to Henry Boot Construction to complete the project. 

The facilities were completed on time to kick start an intensive programme of sports activities including Football, Rugby and Cricket. The facility will be ‘home’ to both the university and neighbouring community sports teams.

The Graham Solley Centre is the second sporting facility recently completed by Watson Batty on behalf of higher education clients with a number of other projects currently under consideration or being progressed.

Application lodged for £11m leisure centre in Washington

Watson Batty Architects as part of the Pellikaan Construction team, submitted a Full Planning Application to Sunderland City Council for the proposed £11m Washington Leisure Centre.

The new facility will include a six-lane, 25m pool; a learner pool, including leisure features and two water slides; a four-court sports hall; a multi-purpose hall designed to accommodate trampoline facilities; two glass-backed squash courts; a sauna and steam rooms; a wellness centre with 100-station gym; separate spinning facility exercise studio and two consultation rooms.

The centre will also feature a soft play area and six external 3G small sided football pitches.

Should the proposal be approved before the end of the year, the new Washington Leisure Centre could be open in 2015.

Click here for further information.

Sporting success as Stadium project awarded LABC Regional Finalist status

Watson Batty are delighted to have been shortlisted for the East Midlands LABC regional awards ‘Best Education’ category for our sports stadium project at Loughborough University. 

Completed in May 2012 this new £4m project provides 14 team changing rooms, sports treatment, sports bar and spectator facilities alongside terracing for 3500 people. Teams representing Manchester United, Spurs and U-17 European national football teams from Russia, Slovenia and Portugal have already competed at the stadium.

For more information on the project please click here.

Washington Leisure Centre Moves Forward

Watson Batty Architects, as part of Pellikaan Construction’s team,  has secured a contract for the design and construction of the new £11m Washington Leisure Centre for Sunderland City Council. The new Leisure Centre will be built on the existing Leisure Centre site and is due for completion in 2015.  The new building is designed in three levels and will include, a 6 lane 25m main pool, a learner pool with a water feature,  two water slides, a four-court sports hall, a health suite comprising of  a sauna, steam rooms and relaxation area, a trampoline hall, two squash courts, two multi-purpose rooms, spinning room and ancillary accommodation. The project also includes 8 nos 5-a-side Synthetic Football Pitches, a 100 space car park and an attractive outdoor central hub that links the new facilities with the surrounding town centre including a village green.  

Graham Solley Sports Development Centre on Track

Following the Ground Breaking Ceremony by FIFA World Cup Referee Howard Webb,  Construction work is underway on The £4.8m Graham Solley Sports Development Centre for Sheffield Hallam University

The project comprises a two storey pavilion with 12 changing rooms on the ground floor and a student social hub, with a 360 degree views onto the outdoor pitches, on the first floor. Externally there are two synthetic turf pitches, national and international standard rugby pitches, an FA standard football pitch, two further training pitches for Rugby and another training football pitch.

The main structure including steel frame, glulam beams, main concrete staircases, internal partitions and ground floor blockwork are complete. The Sub base for the 2 Sythetic Turf Pitches are completed as well. 

The works are programmed for completion in September this year.

The project is Watson Batty Architects' first venture with Sheffield Hallam University as part of a 4 year Framework Agreement with the establishment.

For more information please visit our website by clicking here.