Plans for Waterside sports facilities unveiled

The University has revealed plans to boost the sport and teaching facilities at Waterside Campus, which will open in time for the 2018-19 academic year.

Subject to planning permission, the University will build a multi-use sports dome designed to Sport England dimensions, suitable for a variety of sports, including football, badminton and netball. There will also be two sports performance labs and a pair of teaching rooms. The sports dome will also be used for teaching in addition to recreational use.

These additional buildings will complement the three outdoor multi-use games areas and floodlit full-size all-weather sports pitch already being built at Waterside.

View the proposed site plan, sports dome floor plan, labs and classrooms floor plan, and an artist’s impressions of the sports dome.

Vice Chancellor, Professor Nick Petford, said: “We have thought long and hard about how we can bring the best possible indoor and outdoor sports facilities to the Waterside Campus, and this incredible new sports dome design will deliver just that.

“It’s going to be a space that can be adapted for a variety of sports throughout the year, and the additional teaching labs and learning space will be a terrific resource for our sports students.

“We’re also one of only two universities in England to offer access to free sports and societies to all our students, and we’re happy to say the Students’ Union will be continuing to offer this when we move to Waterside in September 2018.”

University of Northampton Students’ Union President Liam Bligh added: “We’re delighted to see the inclusion of a multi-use sports dome incorporated into the University’s plans for Waterside.

“Alongside our community partners, these facilities will provide students with flexible spaces to facilitate a wide range of sporting activities and exercise classes that support the Students’ Union in delivering the best possible University experience to our students.”