Centre for Sports and Exercise, Pleasance Campus

Endorsed by All Blacks’ Strength and Conditioning Coach Nick Gill as “the best facility we’ve ever had”, the Pleasance Sports Complex involved the construction of a new 1900m2, three-storey extension to an existing listed building.

The conversion of two underground vaults, last used as war-time air raid shelters, represented further unique features of our 53-week build programme. Successfully handed over on time, with zero defects, the new facility has significantly enhanced an already world-class venue for sports science and performance in the service of some 16,000 members.

Recognised for “the quality of the end product” by the University, the new iconic three-storey build, with access to the unique sub-basement vaults, delivers around 1900m2 of additional state-of-the-art sports and physical activity space for over 16,000 members.

Demonstrating our ability to deliver on time, within budget while minimising disruption, the £3m project innovatively provided much-needed sporting area for the University of Edinburgh without increasing the extension footprint.

The sub-basement level encompasses a 40-station weights area, complemented by the basement level, which boasts a new performance gym, plyometric exercise lane, rebound wall, bench area and staff base.

A state-of-the-art conditioning gym is the centre piece of the ground level and the first floor is an open plan studio to support dance and exercise classes. Close liaison with the Estates Team, and the Complex’s staff, was essential to the project’s success and ensured the effective sequencing of works programming to maintain services to over 350,000 people throughout the 12-month programme.