University of Birmingham Sport and Fitness Club receives architectural award

The University of Birmingham Sport and Fitness Club has won a prestigious national RIBA award for its design and architecture.

The national award follows a regional one earlier in the year, awarded to the building that was formally opened by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal. The club features a 50m pool, 10m climbing wall, five activity studios and 200+ piece fitness gym.

Director of Sport Zena Wooldridge said: "This is fantastic news. I'm delighted for the whole team involved in conceiving, designing and constructing such an impressive building. It's not just the physical design and appearance of it, but it has a lovely welcoming feel to it too. It's a building people love being in, and creates a sense of well-being and community. We're very lucky to have such a magnificent building, and very proud it won a RIBA award."

Simon Shakespeare, the University's Deputy Head of Capital Programme, said: "This is a great result for such a major project here at the University. It really marks a transformation in the quality of facilities we are able to provide, and sets out our intentions for the future of this campus."

The Sport and Fitness Club and Green Heart are part of a £600 million investment in the University of Birmingham's campus, with a vision to provide state-of-the-art facilities to students and staff for generations to come.

In 2022 the building will host Commonwealth squash, alongside Commonwealth hockey on the neighbouring pitches. In its first year Sport and Fitness has attracted more than 10,000 members and welcomes more than 1,000 school children each week for swimming lessons. In addition, it has hosted:

• The 2018 British Junior Squash Open - the most prestigious junior squash event in the world which had over 600 competitors.
• Wasps netball showcase - Wasps Netball v Manchester Thunder held a showcase event for their under 15s, u17s, u19s and u21s in the Munrow Arena to give the emerging athletes the chance to compete in front of a crowd.

• Inclusivity Fitness Festival –funding from the British Universities and Colleges Sport enabled us to host a series of classes for those with visual, hearing and physical impairments.

• Birmingham International Fencing tournament.

• Birmingham School games Indoor Athletics – including a live video link to the Gold Coast to speak to athletes at the Commonwealth Games.

For further information, please contact Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Manager Sally Xerri-Brooks +44 (0)121 4143984.