Leadbitter redevelops UCP Marjon Sport and Leisure Centre
(22/02/2010)

UCP Marjon Sport and Leisure has embarked on a multi-million pound redevelopment of its Sports Centre, which is expected to provide sports facilities that are among the best in the South West. When the new facilities are complete, they will increase the total floor space by nearly 900 square metres, bringing it to a total of 6253 square metres, nearly 4000 square metres of which is entirely new build.

The first phase is now complete, with the new triple sports hall, which has 12 badminton courts, now open for a variety of sports uses. The first phase of the new sports centre constructed by the Leadbitter Group has been handed over to University College Plymouth St Mark and St John (Marjon) and is now in use by students, staff and the people of Plymouth.

Rob Bradley, Regional Director of Leadbitter’s Western Construction Division, said: "We are delighted to have handed over the first phase of this redevelopment to the College. Working in a live educational environment such as this has involved developing a detailed phasing plan, including the relocation of many of the facilities and the provision of temporary facilities during construction. This means that staff, students and the public can still use the facilities within a safe environment, and we ensure that the works have minimal impact on the day-to-day operations of the College."

The second phase of the redevelopment, which is due for completion in Spring 2010, involves the construction of a new sports science laboratory, a sports therapy clinic, a 90 station fitness suite and indoor climbing wall, plus the refurbishment of the gymnasium and swimming pool.

This development renews, rationalises and extends the College’s sports facilities, which have been developed on an ad-hoc basis over a number of years. The redevelopment programme represents a major investment, allowing the College to expand its current curriculum into further specialist areas of sports development. The centre is also an important facility for Plymouth City Council as it is used by members of the public.
The construction of the new Sports Centre includes a mixture of traditional and piled foundations with a steel frame. The external envelope consists of metal and timber cladding, render and glazing.

As part of the second phase of works, Leadbitter is transforming the centre’s existing 25m pool with completely new plant, filtration equipment and pipe work. The existing pool structure – a monolithic piled structure – has required the employment of elaborate trenchless techniques, such as trench boring, in order to bring the new pipe work to and from the pool.