The former university student, sports scholar and Paralympic legend Lauren Steadman MBE has officially opened one of the UK’s most sustainable sports centres, the University of Portsmouth’s Ravelin Sports Centre.
Ravelin Sports Centre is already saving money on energy costs when compared to other sports centres with swimming pools. The design received a top rating of “Outstanding” from BREEAM UK, the world’s leading sustainability assessment for buildings, and is set to achieve a BREEAM outstanding rating for its construction.
The swimming pool is naturally lit, with natural ventilation used where possible to minimise energy usage with water conservation measures in place such as the pool water being reused to flush the toilets.
The design of the Sports Centre reflects its parkland setting and it includes a host of high-quality facilities including an eight-court sports hall, eight lane 25m swimming pool, 175 station fitness suite, multipurpose studios, squash courts, a climbing and bouldering wall rising from the basement through the building and a ski simulator.
The design also involved improvements to Ravelin Park, including an entrance plaza between the sports building and the University Library, new pedestrian routes, a wildflower meadow and an urban orchard, more trees in the park and opening up views to the historic buildings on Museum Road.
Lauren Steadman MBE said:
“I’m incredibly proud and honoured that I was asked to come back and open the centre. The students’ experience of sport at the University of Portsmouth is just going to go through the roof. It’s great for student experience, the staff and the wider community.”
Graham Galbraith CBE, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Portsmouth, said:
” Ravelin Sports Centre provides a platform to encourage growth and development for not just our students but also our staff, alumni and the public.”