Builder completes £6m sports hall at Lancaster University

Conlon has completed the final phase of the £6m sports hall development at Lancaster University.
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The Walton-le-Dale based builder was appointed to deliver the 1,347 m2 hall, which is an extension of the university’s existing sports facilities.

It also completed Lancaster City Council’s Employment and Skills Plan, a programme to help local p­­eople get education and training opportunities that enable them to gain meaningful employment.

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The new sports hall, which has been created to encourage more people from within the university and the local community to engage in sports activities, homes a variety of full-size sports courts, including a basketball court and eight badminton courts, as well as retractable seating for more than 500 people.

The new sports facilities at Lancaster University have been completedThe new sports facilities at Lancaster University have been completed
The new sports facilities at Lancaster University have been completed

Lancaster University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Andy Schofield, said: “The project has been a great success despite the set-backs brought about by COVID-19.

“The building will be a real asset to the University, providing a great setting for sport but also, considering the current pressure on teaching space due to the pandemic, much-needed space to support teaching and exams.”

Conlon Construction partnered with key suppliers including Lancaster University’s estates department, Lancaster City Council’s planning department, Construction Skills Training and Employment Partnership (CSTEP), and Lancaster and Morecambe College. It went on to exceed a series of targets relating to job creation, qualifications, on-site training weeks and work placements, which were achieved throughout the development of the sports hall.

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In total, Conlon Construction delivered 10 weeks of work placements to a total of six students from Lancaster and Morecambe College and Newman College in Preston. Apprentices, trainees and new entrants completed 257 weeks of on-site training, while 16 qualifications and certifications – including an NVQ Level 5, NVQ Level 3 Considerate Constructor Certificate, RICS and BREEAM Site Sustainability – were achieved. Finally, two full time roles with Conlon Construction were created via the National Skills Academy for Construction.

Conlon has finished the 6m sports facilities at Lancaster UniversityConlon has finished the 6m sports facilities at Lancaster University
Conlon has finished the 6m sports facilities at Lancaster University

Neil Conlon, director, said: “The completion of the Lancaster University sports hall is a demonstration of what a true, collective effort can achieve, even during times of significant adversity.

"When this landmark sports hall can open its doors fully to the public, we will be sound in the knowledge that we did more than simply construct a building; we have made an immediate and long-term difference to the Lancaster economy and its young people.”

The University’s Director of Estates, Facilities and Commercial Services, Andrew Burgess, said: “The fantastic facilities here are always in high demand from students, staff and the local community too.

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“The additional Sports Hall will give us twice as much capacity. All the staff here are really excited to get the Sports Centre opened as soon as possible and can’t wait for people to see the new courts.”

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