Lockleaze Sports Centre
A purpose-built community sports centre in Bristol
Our client said….
Redesigning community spaces to get more value out of them will be crucial for Bristol in future so I’m pleased to see this approach is already in action in Lockleaze. This is a great success story for the local community, especially in our year as the European City of Sport” … Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol.
The Story
O’LearyGoss Architects started working with Bristol and District Rugby Football Combination in 2013 to help them realise their vision for this new home for sport and community activities.
After the Second World War there was a dearth of sports pitches in the Bristol area and in 1948, the Bristol & District Rugby Football Combination (B&DRFC) purchased 16 acres of land in South Gloucestershire on the border with Bristol City Council (BCC) for the use of member Clubs. A Charitable Trust (301694) was formed with the Objective “..physical training & recreation…. ”. This was the site of the future Lockleaze Sports Centre.
By the early 2000’s the number of adult rugby games was reducing and the pitches underutilised. In 2010 a new working group was formed to create new opportunities for the Lockleaze pitches…this became The Lockleaze Sports Centre Trust.
O’LearyGoss Architects started working with the Bristol and District Rugby Football Combination in 2013 to help them realise their vision for this new home for sport and community activities.
The L-shaped design fronts the access road and runs between the 3G football and the 3G rugby pitch. This plan form maximised the site area available for pitches, and enabled for the creation of balconies to the function rooms and bars which directly overlook these pitches. The initial design also allowed for a second phase of works - a sports hall. This energy efficient building is designed to acheive BREEAM Excellent on completion of the second phase.
Planning approval was granted for both phases in 2015, and work on ‘phase 1’ started on site in 2016. Bristol City Council and UWE contributed the the funding.
At ground level the building provides team and changing facilities, all to RFU standards. On the first floor are three linked function rooms with bars which open out onto balconies and a large terrace, all overlooking the new 3G pitches. These rooms are used for many varied community events as well as generating income for the Centre.
The current sports centre is the first phase of the larger project.
O’LearyGoss Architects remained involved in the project to completion as architects and design team leader, providing the technical package and undertaking joint inspections with the PM.
Lockleaze Sports Centre opened its doors in 2018, and has since become a prevalent location in Bristol for changing lives through sport.
Project Team:
Client: Lockleaze Sports Centre with Bristol City Council
Planning Consultant: Grassroots
Consulting structural & civil engineers: Mann Williams
Consulting services engineers: Houghton Greenlees & Associates
Cost consultant: hdp
Contractor: Jones Building Group