The Jubilee Sports Centre extension, which recently broke ground, is the official start to a sweeping £600m rejuvenation of the University of Southampton
A ground-breaking ceremony for the Jubilee Sports Centre extension signalled the start of a £600m rejuvenation of the University of Southampton.
The investment includes £40m of development to the University’s sports and wellbeing facilities.
The Jubilee Sports Centre extension will be built by Wates and is due to open in summer 2024
The Jubilee Sports Centre, on the University’s Highfield Campus, was named for the Diamond Jubilee of her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and is widely used by staff, students and the surrounding community including local schools who use the swimming pool.
Professor Mark Smith, vice chancellor of the University was joined at the event by Dr Alan Whitehead MP, Casie Osborne, VP of sports for the Students’ Union, Sir James Wates, chairman of Wates Group, and Richard Shroll, managing director of Wates Construction South.
The extension to the centre will include a modernised gym with 200 exercise stations, five new sports studios including dedicated martial arts and indoor cycling spaces, and a bouldering/climbing wall.
There will also be a reception area with toilets and cafe, as well as parking for e-scooters and bikes.
The Jubilee Sports Centre extension building has been designed to be inclusive to all potential users, to connect to the outdoors, increase natural light, and to help meet the University’s low carbon target.
Refurbishment and rejuvenation of the University of Southampton to deliver the best student experience
Over the next five years, the University will be investing £600m across its campuses to meet student demand, ensure student experience is of the highest standard and scientists and academics are carrying out research in state-of-the-art facilities.
Work will include removing buildings no longer fit for purpose, refurbishing existing buildings, improving accommodation and enhancing open spaces.
The developments will help to support the University’s goal to become carbon neutral by 2030 as work will not only be improvements to the estate, but will also consider travel, waste and recycling.
Plans for different phases of the development will be shared with the community accordingly and planning permission sought.
Student concerns about sustainability and accessibility have been incorporated into the development
Professor Mark Smith said: “Sport, fitness and wellbeing are incredibly important to our students, staff and our local community. Today’s ceremony marks the start of an exciting chapter of our new sports building, and indeed, our long-term plans to improve other parts of our campuses.
“Over the next five years we will be making significant investments in our buildings and infrastructure to ensure we are providing research and teaching facilities that enable our staff and students to continue to excel.
“This significant investment is for the benefit of both the University and the city of Southampton. I would like to thank all those involved in months of planning of the Jubilee Sports Centre, and I am looking forward to watching the development take shape over the coming months.”
Casie Osborne, Vice President Sports at the University of Southampton Students’ Union, said:
“In response to student demands, the University has made the right decision in choosing to invest in expanding and improving the sporting facilities in a way that is truly beneficial to students. It has been a privilege to be involved in the Jubilee development plans, and there has been a willingness by the team to listen to key topics students care about such as sustainability, accessibility, and increasing opportunities offered.
“I am excited for when the Centre is completed as I know it will hugely enhance the student experience and is key to achieving our Sport Strategy goals to help more students live an active lifestyle.”
