BAM has been selected to build a new £14 million research facility in Sheffield.

The Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre (AWRC) will be delivered at the Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park (OLP) on behalf of Sheffield Hallam University. Work is scheduled to start in February 2018.

Designed by HLM Architects, the £14m centre is set to become the most advanced research and development centre for health and physical activity in the world.

Features will include a 7.5m high indoor laboratory, third generation pitch with cameras and tracking instruments, 3D biomechanical and gait analysis and scanning, a manufacturing workshop, MRI, CT, ultrasound, body composition measurement and physiological testing and a technology demonstration hub.

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Overall, the facility will form a key part of the City Region's Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District (AMID), a 2,000-acre centre of excellence for innovation-led research and industrial collaboration.

Kelvin Pollard, Construction Director for BAM, said: "This scheme renews our successful partnership with the University. BAM's strength in the higher education market is evident across our record in Yorkshire. We've also got a long-term commitment in Sheffield where we have contributed a lot to the city's skyline and built environment.

"This fascinating new scheme will demand many skills from the construction team, and a very close understanding between ourselves, the university and all of the partners. We are very excited to bring our expertise to its creation, and as ever, will use the opportunity of the build itself to add something back for the community around it."

Mark Swales, Director of Estates and Facilities at Sheffield Hallam University, said: "We are delighted to confirm BAM as our contractor to build what promises to be an impressive building. Our estate portfolio already provides high-quality teaching and learning spaces for our staff and students and the AWRC will add to this and allow us to conduct world-leading research that will improve the health of populations across the globe."

(LM)