The University of Leicester has invested more than £10 million in health and sports provision as part of a lasting Olympic year legacy.
Leicester joins a select few universities to have two swimming pools in addition to increased health, fitness and sports facilities.
Sports and fitness facilities are now available at both the University Road campus and new sports facilities have been developed at Manor Road, Oadby.
The University has also announced an array of sports scholarships and the appointment of a community sports development officer.
In addition, the University is part of the Department of Health's £10 million programme for the East Midlands to develop one of three hubs, which together forms the country’s first ever National Sports and Exercise Medicine Centre of Excellence.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Bob Burgess said: “In the year when Britain hosted the Olympics, and when the focus on sporting endeavour and achievement has never been greater, it is timely that the University of Leicester makes its biggest ever capital investment in sport.
“As a highly-ranked UK university, and amongst the leaders in student satisfaction, it is important that we develop our sports facilities alongside our academic provision. We are shaping minds and bodies for the future and new generations of students, staff and community users will benefit from our top-class facilities.”
The University sports provision consists of:
At Manor Road Oadby:
• £5 million facilities including a 25m pool, Sauna & Steam Rooms, Spa Pool, 600m2 gym and aerobics studio and quality changing rooms.
• The new facilities join the University’s existing sports hall and aerobics studio with a glass connecting corridor. The new facilities will increase the choice and availability of sports and fitness provision at the University for staff, students and the local community.
• The new developments add to the existing facilities, which include a Sports Hall and Activity Room, Running Track, full sized sand-filled floodlit all-weather pitch, floodlit 3G five-a-side pitch, floodlit rugby pitch, 9 tennis courts (3 floodlit), a soccer pitch and other green grass areas.
At University Road, Leicester:
• Campus sports centre, including 20m pool, Cardiovascular gym; dedicated spin studio, sauna, steam room, double size sports hall.
As part of the University’s commitment to health and well-being, a £1m infrastructure development programme in front of the Library saw the creation of an underground 300-space bike storage facility.
The University also created a series of annual sports scholarships worth a total of £10,000 per year to develop sporting excellence.
A new sports development officer is also supporting young people’s participation in sport, developing Sport England’s volunteering in sport initiative, engaging with school sport as well as assisting specific projects, programmes and initiatives to be delivered by Local Sport Alliances in Leicestershire.
Colin Hide, Director of Sport at the University of Leicester, said:
“Swimming and personal training – going to the gym – are two of the top three student sports activities. These developments place the University of Leicester in the premier league for sport and fitness provision by adding the activities the students want at the place where they want them – on the main site and close to the Halls of Residence.
“Higher Education is a competitive environment and as a top UK university we must continually improve our student offer to attract the best students and give them the best experience when they are with us. This will ensure the success of the University, the City of Leicester and Oadby.
“The new provision will make a huge difference to our student experience. Our swimming team will have a home venue and our sports clubs will have more time, more often for club seasons. This can only further improve our BUCS points score and the performance of our clubs.
“The Oadby and Leicester facilities are open to current students and staff of the University along with past graduates and associates of the University. In addition, the Oadby facility is open to nearby residents.”
Local community user Nigel Dadge said: "The upgraded and enhanced facilities should enable more university students and local residents to attend the centre to improve their physical health and sporting prowess in a wider range of activities and in a modern and 'state of the art' Sports Centre."
Hayley Symington, Student Activities Officer at the University of Leicester Students’ Union, said: “Access to, and promotion of, quality sports facilities are key to the maintenance and promotion of healthy living, whilst also enabling students to engage in a safe positive social atmosphere.
“To that end, the new sports facilities will substantially increase opportunities to engage in sports and fitness, making the University, as a whole, more desirable to present and future students alike, allowing for a range of social and athletic and competitive engagement. The Students’ Union fully supports these new and exciting developments.”