A new structure becoming known as the “great wall of Derby” has been completed as part of the project to deliver a new £10.8m sports centre at the city’s university.
The wall is an integral part of the project being delivered by local contractor G F Tomlinson. It has been constructed to allow the new building to nestle into the existing embankment improving the visual appeal of the Kedleston Road site and leaving room to accommodate a sports pitch.
More than 400 tonnes of stone, 4,000 metres of steel mesh and over 3,000 man hours were required to create the 8.5 metre embankment which has been designed to require minimal maintenance over the lifespan of the building.
The wall was constructed after reducing 18,000 tonnes of soil from the embankment.
Barry Sewards, chairman at G F Tomlinson, said: “We are extremely pleased to have reached this milestone in the project, as the wall is a key part of the plans for the site.
“Ensuring the completed scheme is visually appealing is key to the project and the construction of the wall within the existing grass bank plays its part in achieving this.
“The experience and knowledge of our team at G F Tomlinson has ensured the structure has been expertly constructed.
“This is the latest section of our work to be completed and the momentum of the project is continuing with work now under way to erect the steel frame for the centre,” Barry added.
The new multi sports centre is due to be completed in the summer of 2015. It will be open to students, staff and members of the public.
The impressive facilities at the centre will include eight badminton courts, sports hall, gym furnished with the latest equipment, dance studio, squash courts and a climbing wall.
There will be a three lane indoor sprint area with adjacent strength and conditioning areas plus an analysis lab which will enable users to take their training to the next level. This centre will also be used by the university’s sports students to do certain practical work as part of their programme.