CONSTRUCTION is now underway on the impressive £40 million extension to the Jubilee Sports Centre at the University of Southampton, marking the start of £600 million of improvements to the university's estate.

A ground-breaking ceremony for the sports and wellbeing centre officially began the ambitious programme of rejuvenation and refurbishment.

The extension to the sports centre, widely used by staff, students and the community, will include a modernised gym with 200 exercise stations, five new sports studios including dedicated martial arts and indoor cycling spaces, and a bouldering/climbing wall.

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There will also be a reception area with toilets and cafe, as well as parking for e-scooters and bikes.

The inclusive building has been designed to connect to the outdoors, increase natural light, and to help meet the University’s low carbon target. It will be built by Wates and is due to open in summer 2024.

Over the next five years, work at the University will include removing buildings no longer fit for purpose, refurbishing existing buildings, improving accommodation and enhancing open spaces.

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The developments will help to support the University’s goal to become carbon neutral by 2030.

Professor Mark Smith, Vice Chancellor of the University, was joined at the event by Dr Alan Whitehead MP, Casie Osborne, VP of Sports for the Students’ Union, Sir James Wates, Chairman of Wates Group, and Richard Shroll, managing director of Wates Construction South.

Professor Mark Smith said: "Today’s ceremony marks the start of an exciting chapter of our new sports building, and indeed, our long-term plans to improve other parts of our campuses.

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"This significant investment is for the benefit of both the University and the city of Southampton."

Dr Alan Whitehead MP, who studied Politics and Philosophy at the university in the late 60s and was President of the Students' Union in 1971, added: "Sports and leisure facilities are vital to a community so as an MP and a university alumnus, I am delighted to attend this special event to mark what will be an important asset to this area of Southampton.

"This will be an impressive, state-of-the-art leisure facility, that will offer lots of opportunities to students, residents and young people to enjoy an active and healthy lifestyle."

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