The University of Edinburgh has published artist impressions of its planned new sports village at Peffermill Playing Fields.
There will be a sports centre designed to complement the landscape in the area which will increase the facilities students can use. About half of the bookings at Peffermill are made by the wider public and they will enjoy the enhanced facilities of the world class sports village too. The University’s sports facilities across the city are used by numerous teams and members of the public on a daily basis.
This will include a 12-court multi-purpose sports hall, four-court indoor tennis hall, strength and conditioning gym, fitness gym, and social and conference spaces.
The tennis facilities are supported by Tennis Scotland’s Transforming Scottish Indoor Tennis Fund – in recognition of the shortage of easy access to indoor courts in the local area. Basketball, futsal, korfball, netball and volleyball will also be added to the sports available at Peffermill, along with improved facilities for hockey and archery.
Plans include a 573-bed residence on existing University land, which will offer accommodation for students during term time, and will be availalbe for athletes and event attendees during summer months.
The proposals also feature a 2.5km open access exercise route which will border the facility, and an avenue that will commemorate the University’s successful sporting alumni.
The University has a long history of promoting and supporting sport and exercise. Students have the opportunity to get involved in sport at any level, from complete beginners to those representing their country.
Preparatory works are planned to commence at Peffermill in mid-2020, subject to planning permission and final approval by the University Court, with the completion of the project scheduled for the beginning of the academic year in 2023-24.
Jim Aitken, Director of Sport and Exercise at the University, said: “Our plans for Peffermill exemplify the University’s quest to provide accessible sport and physical activity opportunities for our community and the people of Edinburgh.
“The venture will allow the University to consolidate existing relations with local and national sports organisations, create new relationships, increase our sports provision and host a greater number of major events. It will make a transformational difference to our sector-leading sport and fitness offer and we can’t wait for it to happen.”
Blane Dodds, Chief Executive of Tennis Scotland, said: “We are thrilled, along with our partners sportscotland and the Lawn Tennis Association, to be working in partnership with the University of Edinburgh, subject to a successful application process, to provide four fantastic indoor courts for all the community to enjoy as part of an exceptional sports facility.”
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