Work is well underway on the £12million construction and redevelopment of the ‘new’ sportscotland National Centre Inverclyde. When complete in spring 2017, Inverclyde will be a world class residential venue for sport in Scotland. Here, we take a look at how this inspiring design concept is fast becoming a reality.
So what will be unique about it?
The ‘new’ Inverclyde will blaze a trail in the market place as the first integrated on-site residential sports facility in the UK. This means that for the first time in this country, all users, regardless of physical and sensory ability, will be able to make a continuous transition from reception and residence to sports hall and activity.
This is thanks to the purpose-built accommodation interconnecting seamlessly with the new and refurbished sports facilities.
What is the background to the design?
Reflection and translucency were two key aspects of the build design. And now that they are being implemented in the next phase, they are combining to offer an inspirational sporting environment for sport to happen. Keep track of the construction here.
A ribbon concept is prominent in the design. It manifests as an innovative glass and polycarbonate façade that will bring an iconic new identity to Inverclyde. It will weave its way through the tree-lined hillside location which overlooks the coastal town of Largs and across to the Isle of Cumbrae, where the sportscotland national watersports centre Cumbrae is located.
The design is significant to the sporting context of the building because it stems from the use of ribbon in ancient times to reflect victory and success (for example, the winning athlete to represent excellence in sport) and also exercise, in terms of fluidity of movement, examples of which can be seen throughout the building.
And, crucially, the design is also a statement of quality in support of the high-end training facilities that will be on offer.
How will people benefit?
Inverclyde will provide a wealth of opportunities in residential sports; delivering school and community programmes, facilitating courses and events and the provision of elite athlete performance camps with a truly inspirational backdrop.
The design and fluidity of the building offers flexible usage designed to interact and work with its different audiences and customer groups. And the Inverclyde team will enhance this further by customising, moulding and tailoring services and event programmes to accommodate customer needs and ensure they have a world class experience.
Bookings are now being taken for May 2017 onwards. For further information or to book, please contact Inverclyde using the details at the foot of this article.
Almost time to lift the lid
The building is still under wraps. But it is now rising up from its status as an artistic impression on the drawing board to a reality.
A sneak preview has recently revealed that the purpose-built accommodation will include spacious and light-filled bedrooms, all of which will be fully equipped with accessible en-suite facilities.
The new public areas will feature a sweeping glass walled café, licensed bar, dining room and meeting areas, bringing the natural world outside in. This connects to a new physical preparation area, containing world class fitness and conditioning equipment – with a three-lane 20m running track, an international standard gymnastics training hall and two multi-purpose studios, combined with a refurbished sports hall, fully marked out for a range of sports. The hall is a flexible space for a range of sports such as accommodating up to eight badminton courts, complete with viewing area.
The 86-acre site also boasts extensive grounds, featuring a separate building with an indoor 3G pitch, four full-sized grass pitches, a water-based synthetic hockey pitch and four synthetic tennis courts. An additional development that will be ready for 2018 is a four-hole golf practice training facility.
So, it’s clear that ‘new’ Inverclyde is realising its game-changing potential and will bring an iconic new identity to the sportscotland National Centre. We can’t wait to lift the lid for the final time and will be featuring more progress in Sport First over the coming months.
A sport centre for all
Inverclyde captures the essence of fairness and accessibility in sport, delivering an important role within Scotland’s sporting landscape. Those benefiting will include athletes, sports governing bodies, club, schools, higher education, the local community and everyone involved in regional, national and international events.
So, the ‘new’ Inverclyde will still continue its traditional role, fostering strong governing body and club partnerships, building community relations and delivering sports educational programmes for schools and colleges. But all of this will be coupled with its new role in facilitating small- to medium-sized sports events, inclusive of para sports.
If you’d like to be the one of the first to benefit then bookings are now being taken for May 2017 onwards. For further information or to book, please contact Inverclyde using the details below.
www.nationalcentreinverclyde.org.uk
E: in.enquiries@sportscotland.org.uk
T: 01475 674666
Facebook: inverclyde
Twitter: @inverclydeNSTC
