Digging deep for new Perse sports and swimming complex
Work has begun on a major new swimming pool and sports centre at The Perse with a special ground-breaking event.
With spades at the ready, Perse Head Ed Elliott and Bursar Alison Shakespeare were joined by officials from Willmott Dixon, the contractors for the complex, to dig the ceremonial first hole on the project.
The new sports centre is being built on the Long Road field at the Upper and is set to open in autumn 2024.
It will be used by Prep and Upper children, as well as being available for public use, as part of the school’s commitment to community benefit.
Designed by Saunders Boston Architects, facilities will include a six-lane 25-metre swimming pool, sports hall and climbing wall with bouldering opportunities.
Head Ed Elliott said: “The new Perse swimming and sports centre will give pupils and staff access to excellent swimming, climbing and indoors sports facilities, which will greatly enhance our sports and outdoor pursuits provision.
“The centre will also be open to the community and will provide local people with recreation and fitness opportunities.
“The Perse has been planning to build a swimming pool for decades so it is wonderful to see this important school and community project coming to fruition.”
Bursar Alison Shakespeare added: “Environmental sustainability is very important to the school and we are working towards a BREEAM rating of ‘excellent’ for this building, including a focus on a high degree of water efficiency.
“It is very exciting to have the build under way and we are looking forward to bringing the building into use in autumn 2024.”
Chris Tredget, Managing Director at Willmott Dixon, commented: “We are delighted to be starting work on the brand-new sports and leisure facility at The Perse School.
“We are very much looking forward to delivering this fantastic new facility for both the pupils and the local community.
“Ensuring that we provide a high-quality, sustainable building which will benefit pupils now and for many years to come, is incredibly important to us.”
For more information on this new sports complex, please click here.
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