Sport & Fitness within Education

SPORT & FITNESS WITHIN EDUCATION

Participation in sports, fitness, and recreational activities improves wellbeing and promotes healthy physical development

PE is compulsory in local authority-maintained schools throughout the National Curriculum’s key stages, while academies and free schools must also deliver balanced programmes. Student experience is significantly enhanced in FE and HE environments through the strategic integration of high-quality sports facilities.

Through our broad sport and leisure project experience, we continue to hone our detailed understanding of sports governance, guidelines, design, and technical standards. We nurture close relationships with national governing bodies and maintain thorough comprehension of Sport England’s requirements.

Visibility and accessibility are key to encouraging regular and continued participation, with many clients consciously locating their facilities at the heart of a campus. Boosting social interaction also drives the better design of spectating areas to draw in a wider audience. We want our developments to be positive beacons within their communities.

“The designs created by Watson Batty Architects
have received great acclaim from numerous internal
and external stakeholders and partners. They always
find the way to strike the balance between meeting
Client requirements whilst creating something
unique, functional but also visually stunning.”

Director of Estates & Facilities – Sheffield Hallam University

HAXBY ROAD SPORTS CAMPUS

We worked closely with York St John University to devise the masterplan for this tricky site. We allowed for the continued use of two existing pitches and their associated changing pavilion throughout the works, which was demolished post-completion. Our design took the form of a C-shape to fit neatly in the centre of the existing pitches.

We completed Phase 2 design commissions for a full-size 3G artificial pitch, full-size sand-dressed pitch, outdoor tennis courts, netball courts, and new parking. The floodlit 3G pitch was certified by the FA/RFL and RFU and is used extensively by the community and York City Knights Rugby League Club and York City Football Club.

For Phase 3, we designed a large sports hall equivalent in size to five indoor courts, a teaching hub to support the outdoor activities, and associated changing areas.

GRAHAM SOLLEY SPORTS CENTRE

This site provides local sports clubs, the community, and Sheffield Hallam University students with access to high-quality sports facilities. Our two-story pavilion building houses twelve team changing rooms which are adaptable in size, a bar, a kitchen, and ancillary accommodation.

Our detailed site analysis led us to an effective masterplan solution. We positioned the new pavilion at the heart of the large site so we could draw spectators out to an open viewing gallery at first floor level. The café/bar with its 360-degree external deck offers clear visibility of the show rugby pitch, the football pitch, two full-size synthetic turf pitches, and the cricket pitch from one single spot. Its vibrant façade colour immediately identifies it with the University.

Our site masterplan proposal also caters for future developments, including a four-courts sports hall, a multi-use room, ancillary accommodation, and a safe pedestrian/cycle route from the main entrance.

LOUGHBOROUGH UNIVERSITY STADIUM

We acted as Project Architect and Technical Advisor for this outstanding stadium, tailored to support the needs of Loughborough’s first XI football and first XV rugby teams. Designed as a Category D facility, it meets the Football Association and National Ground grading requirements.

The main terrace provides seating for 3,000 spectators with optional capacity for 800 additional seats during major events. Changing for officials and players is at ground floor including a mix of 14-, 16- and 20-person team areas, interconnected for greater flexibility. At first floor, an open-plan, glazed bar overlooks the pitch and provides direct access to a covered and elevated 300-seater terrace.

To respond to the green, semi-rural setting, we specified natural larch cladding, an attractive, durable, and low-carbon material, and used split-face masonry to provide a distinctive, hewn texture.

We successfully met the programme to complete in time for the season’s opening fixtures. In the lead up to London 2012, Team GB were based on campus for their preparation training. The stadium also hosted a segment of the Olympic Torch relay.