Premier Construction

Loughborough University

Loughborough
Written by Roma Publications

Loughborough University – UK ‘first’ for elite athletes

The first of its kind in the UK, Loughborough University’s new Elite Athlete Centre and Hotel complete with 44 four-star bedrooms, will provide an ideal environment for team training camps.

Offering first class facilities for all athletes – including those with disabilities, the centre, coupled with the sporting facility options on campus, will be unparalleled in the UK.

The facility will be run by Imago Venues – Loughborough University’s dedicated hotel, conference and events provider.

The building was designed by David Morley Architects and is being constructed by main contractors Bowmer & Kirkland, who were praised for ‘doing a good job’.

Set in the heart of Loughborough University’s world-leading sports facilities, this inspiring high-performance environment offers aspirational space for athletes, businesses and fitness enthusiasts to be the best they can be.

The five storey building is situated on a site previously occupied by a sports field which has been re-located, together with a badger sett.

The building features external elevations in concrete with cladding and curtain walling, with a terrace at first floor level overlooking a running track, and a flat roof with a 34 panel photovoltaic array.

External works comprise landscaping including ‘active’ elements.

The centre’s individual bedrooms are all designed for flexibility of use, featuring large doorways, moveable furniture and 7 ft beds, and will include ensuite wet rooms accessible for any elite athlete. There are also eight dedicated rooms for disabled use.

In addition, 20 rooms will have the capacity to adjust climatic altitude conditions up to 5000m, enabling athletes to sleep high and train low, without the need to leave the country, helping to enhance performance capability. This prepares their bodies for competition by improving their oxygen carrying ability, as well as maximum oxygen take-up.

The centre will also support the complex dietary requirements of athletes.

A specialist nutrition room will also be provided with the ability to deliver up to 150 covers per sitting, to allow whole team training camps to be accommodated, along with resident athletes. In addition, the nutrition room and kitchen will educate athletes in nutrition showing them how to prepare meals and stay healthy.

The rest and relaxation needs of athletes on site will also be catered for. A specifically designed room will allow both guests and resident athletes to recover between and after training sessions.

There will also be a flexible and scalable seminar space for up to 30 athletes, which can be expanded into the Nutritional Lounge, providing opportunities for larger events.

Whilst The Elite Athlete Centre and Hotel is designed with the top athlete in mind, other guests will be able to take advantage of the facilities on offer.

The centre will appeal to a range of sporting levels, as well as organisations looking for team building activities inspired by the unique sporting environment that elite athletes pass through. Packages available at the centre will include access to the UK’s leading coaches, sports scientists and support staff.

Peter Goldsworthy, Loughborough University’s property portfolio manager said: “The project is making satisfactory progress and Bowmer & Kirkland are doing a good job. This new facility will be something completely new for athletes and I am very pleased with the project.”

Loughborough University’s Executive Director of Sport, John Steele comments: “The Elite Athlete Centre is an outstanding addition to Loughborough’s already excellent sporting heritage and combines with existing facilities to provide a truly world class venue for high performance athletes and teams.”

Emma Boynton, Head of Sales and Marketing at Imago Venues said: “The centre is not just an exciting addition to our portfolio, it is also an opportunity to further demonstrate our position as a global leader in the provision of inspiring and aspirational accommodation, conference and events spaces.

“Loughborough University has the confidence in Imago Venues to operate the new facility; not just because of our historic commercial success, but our ability to deliver exceptional customer service to each and every individual who walks through our doors.”

The centre will open in October 2018.

 

Dotcom Glazing Ltd

Dotcom Glazing Ltd are pleased to be working with Bowmer & Kirkland, on the new Student Residential Blocks and the Sports Facility Blocks, for Loughborough University Student Village Development.

Our works involves installing Glazed Facades, Entrances and Screens, Curtain Walling, Windows and Doors, using both traditional thermally insulated and Fire-Retardant aluminium systems into these very impressive buildings.

Dotcom Glazing Ltd, based in Leicester was established in 1999 to undertake supply and installation contracts, offering an extensive range of architectural aluminium and PVCU glazing systems, which are all designed, tested and compliant for incorporating into most commercial or domestic installations.

We offer a comprehensive supply and installation service throughout England and Wales to many Main Contractors and Developers, all supported by our highly experienced in-house technical design team who regularly interact with Architects and Designers during the early stages of a project -recommending product systems and applications best suited for their particular requirements.

Recently completed projects include the new Queen’s Walk Building in Reading, Berkshire; Several Premier Inn Hotels around London and the Home Counties, the South of England and Cornwall, The Student Union Building (Phases 1&2), for Manchester University; The Newark Academy and Newark Sports & Leisure Centre in Nottinghamshire; New Care Homes throughout the South East of England, and the window and door replacement programme for the Lanchester Academy in Hertfordshire.

The company’s current order book includes more Railway Arch refurbishment projects; New Hotels; Apartments and Office, Local Authority and Private Academy buildings, University Buildings etc.

For Lanchester Academy contract mentioned above, Dotcom Glazing Ltd were the main contractor with requirement to supply and install a slim line “Heritage Style” aluminium window and door system to provide an aesthetically pleasing and accurate aluminium replication, of the 1930’s style steel windows to be replaced.

Dotcom worked very closely with the architects, Project Managers and clients resulting in the contract receiving awards.

Premier caught up with a representative from the company, who said: “Dotcom Glazing Ltd, is a highly specialised architectural glazing company and widely acknowledged for its work standards and commitment. We have the infrastructure and knowledge to carry out major glazing contracts to a high standard for our highly respected clients.

“Hopefully by giving our valued clients that feeling of confidence in performance, and by offering them very competitive prices for a high quality product, which will comfortably meet the specification criteria at all times, they will be encourages to continue trusting us with their business.”

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