Plans are about to be submitted to build a state-of-the-art sports arena for the City of Worcester.

The Worcester Arena, being developed by the University of Worcester, will increase sport participation from grass roots to elite level across the region and make a real difference to people’s lives.

The facility has been designed by Gloucester-based Roberts Limbrick Architects, and will be located at the former fruit and vegetable market in Hylton Road.

The 12-court Arena provides facilities for a full range of indoor sports, with special emphasis on international level basketball. It will be highly inclusive and cater for major disability team sports, with all areas and changing rooms designed for independent wheelchair access.

Professor David Green, University of Worcester Vice Chancellor, said: "The introduction of this arena will provide a first class facility for sports lovers in the city and region. It will attract a great range of top-class national and international events to the City, particularly in disability sport."

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The 5,300 m2 Arena is capable of hosting major indoor sports events, with retractable seating provided for up to 1,850 people. It will provide important sports teaching facilities to complement the excellent sports facilities already at the University's St John's Campus as well as those within the adjacent 'Riverside' building.

The Arena, specially designed as an inclusive facility for those with mobility disabilities, will include sports treatment and first aid rooms, teaching and coaching spaces, a café, media and hospitality suites and other support facilities.

Located midway between the University's St John's Campus and City Campus, the Arena has good pedestrian and cycle links which are enhanced with further improvements to the road junction and crossing arrangements.

The steel framed building will be raised above the ground to protect the facility against the unlikely event that the river flood levels rise above the top of the existing flood bund which protects this area of Hylton Road.

Supported by piled foundations, the building will be finished in high quality materials including gold coloured copper cladding, glazing, simple white and grey cladding panels, aluminium roofing and blue/grey engineering brick plinth. There will also be translucent panels providing controlled natural lighting to the Sports Hall.

The estimated cost of the arena is around £10 million and the University is now engaged in a vigorous fundraising campaign, including the opportunity to Buy a Brick and ensure your message is forever a part of the new Arena.

(CD/KMcA)