Stepnell has completed works on a state-of-the-art £2.3 million sports centre at Martin High School in Anstey, Leicestershire.

The centre completes the purpose-built Sports England standard facility on behalf of Lionheart Academies Trust. The construction firm delivered the project through the Procure Partnerships Framework.

Working alongside academy funding and consultancy specialists Surveyors to Education, Stepnell has successfully delivered the impressive 1,120 sq. metre two-storey sports centre with all-weather pitches, a multipurpose four court badminton centre, gym facility, a classroom and a computer suite. To cater for more visitors to the new centre - new changing rooms, a large car park, staffroom, kitchen, and WC facilities have also been added.

Tom Sewell, regional director at Stepnell, said: "The opportunities unlocked by this facility will benefit pupils at Martin High School, the wider community, sports clubs and teams for generations to come. We are delighted to have brought this ambitious project to life so that the school now has an enhanced PE curriculum with quality, hirable activity space for the Anstey community and surrounding areas."

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As part of Stepnell's commitment to involving the local communities where it operates, the complete construction partner worked with the school throughout the project to devise learning initiatives – with Stepnell’s site manager delivering eight tours to a total of 68 design students, providing unique insight into the construction processes.

Furthermore, Stepnell invested more than £226,000 of project costs with local micro, small and medium sized enterprises (MSMEs) - 718% more than the project’s target. The combination of social value implementations to promote jobs and growth accumulated in a 39.61% overall social return on investment for the build.

Conor Neild-Crabb, key account manager (East), Procure Partnerships Framework: "We are delighted to have worked alongside Stepnell, Surveyors to Education, and A+G Architects to see the new sports hall at The Martin High School realised.

"This is the first project Procure Partnerships Framework has been able to support Lionheart Educational Trust in delivering and we are pleased the framework supported such positive outcomes. Stepnell far exceeded the Social Value target for the scheme by delivering 39.61% of the scheme’s construction value in social return on investment, the new sports hall will further benefit the wider community and enhance opportunities locally. Hopefully, pupils and staff enjoy their new facilities!"

The project was delivered by Stepnell in nine months and has since opened with a ribbon cutting ceremony by former Leicester Tigers rugby player and Martin High School alumni, Taylor Gough, alongside Leicestershire County Cricket Club players Scott Steel and Ben Mike.