University of Nottingham to build £40m sports complex

University of Nottingham has announced plans to invest £40m in a new sports complex at its University Park campus.

The new complex will be part-funded by a “very significant commitment from” Nottingham alumnus and Carphone Warehouse founder David Ross, taking his total support for the University beyond £10m. As a result the facility will be called the David Ross Sports Village.

Construction of the new complex – due to start in February 2015 and completed by June 2016 – will include a comprehensive redevelopment of the existing sports centre to make way for a new building, which will be three times the previous size.

The complex will include a new main sports hall, 200 station health and fitness suite, sports science facilities and office accommodation.

It will also incorporate two adjoining and adaptable 10-court sports halls, each offering the flexibility to host two events or more simultaneously or hold one large event in activities as diverse as basketball, handball, netball, indoor hockey, futsal and badminton.

There will also be a climbing wall, indoor sprint track, strength and conditioning facility, archery and fencing hall, dance studios, snooker hall and martial arts dojo. Squash courts are proposed including a full glass court with spectator seating.

Dan Tilley, director of Sport at the University, said: “This major investment is part of our ambition to create an outstanding, inspirational and accessible sports infrastructure for students, staff and the wider community.

“We want to encourage people of all abilities to get involved in sport and activity, and allow them to rub shoulders with and train alongside some of the country’s leading athletes.”

In total, the university has invested around £300m in its buildings over the last five years.