CONSTRUCTION works on a state-of-the-art £29 million sports park have been completed.
R G Carter has finished work on the Northern Gateway Sports Park, just off the A12, to Colchester Council.
The completed 76 acre sports park is about as big 38 football pitches and features a floodlit one-mile cycle track, a learn to ride facility, two 4G pitches and seven grass rugby fields.
Indoors there is a five-court sports hall with facilities for badminton, futsal and indoor cricket as well as a fitness suite, exercise and dance studios, meeting rooms and a café.
A new clubhouse has also been created for Colchester Rugby Club, which is moving from its Mill Road home, as well an archery range and clubhouse for Colchester and District Archery Club.
The facility is set within acres of green open spaces where more than 500 trees and almost 120,000 hedgerow plants have been planted.
Colchester Council funded the £28.8 million development which has been supported by significant funding from British Cycling, Sport England and England and Wales Cricket Club.
James Wilson, Director at R G Carter, said: “It has been a pleasure to work with Colchester Amphora on a forward-thinking and unique project. Supporting the borough’s vision for providing the local community with a first-class sports hub, this new facility will encourage sport participation for many years to come.”
Leader of Colchester Council Mark Cory said: “The completion of this inspiring facility marks a huge milestone towards our vision to give all of our residents new and wide-ranging opportunities to play sport, be healthy and enjoy our outdoor spaces.
“Importantly for me, the sports park will be accessible for all, offering activities for all abilities and those with disabilities.
“My thanks to R G Carter for their expertise and commitment to deliver this project in what has been a challenging year.
“The result is an exceptional sports park that will enable people both locally and from across the wider region to get involved, get active and make the most of the remarkable facilities Colchester can offer.”
“When things return to normal after Covid, this will be a facility Colchester can be proud of.”
Property, construction and infrastructure consultancy Perfect Circle was appointed by Colchester Borough Council to provide a full suite of consultancy services for the complex, including project management and cost management.
Galvin Tarling, regional partner for the East of England at Perfect Circle, said: “We are delighted to have been involved in Colchester’s Northern Gateway Sports Park, a project that will enrich the community it serves, provide a focal point for the local area, and offer a sustainable first-class social and leisure facility for all to enjoy for decades to come.
“We provided more than 20 service elements under a single delivery agreement – speeding up the procurement process and offering an efficient and cost-effective route to market for Colchester Borough Council’s complex, community-focused new facility.”
The sports park will open to the public this spring.
For updates, visit colchesterleisureworld.co.uk/northerngatewaysportspark.
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