Our work to create exceptional new sports facilities for the University of Hull is now complete.

With works completed over several phases, the project included construction of new international sports arena ‘The Allam Sport Centre’ and remodelling the previous Grade II listed sports centre into a state-of-the-art gym. The work was part of the University of Hull’s £16m scheme to expand its sports offering by creating a world-class sports hub.

The Allam Sport Centre

The Allam Sport Centre is an innovatively designed 12-court international standard sports arena with seating for 700 spectators. It has been carefully designed by Space Architects to create an attractive and unique sports arena that makes full use of natural lighting. At night, the south side of the hall is lit with 3,500 LEDs which can create many colours and effects. Some key features include:

• The sports arena has the third largest Junkers elastic sports floor in the UK
• The building is designed to be fully inclusive with facilities catering for wheelchair sports teams and other individual requirements
• The polycarbonate exterior has a subtle pattern of opal and crystal panels that create a feeling of movement and alter the building’s appearance according to the changing sunlight
• Innovative use of polycarbonate and panelling inside the hall enhances background light, significantly reducing the amount of artificial lighting used during daylight

The project team from Henry Boot worked closely with both the University Estates and Sport Team to deliver a world-class facility that works well for the end user, their team were always accommodating and keen to understand the build from the customer perspective.

Steve Curtis, Partnership & Project Manager (Sport), University of Hull

The sports arena has hugely benefitted the university, students and the wider community, locally and internationally. The new sports facility ‘sets the standard’, creating an identifiable image for University of Hull’s reputation in sport, and its investment in the health and wellbeing of students, staff, and the local community. The project was achieved to programme and budget and since opening, the university has seen an increase in all their customer groups within both elements of the business.

Gym and fitness studios

Following completion of The Allam Sport Centre, we remodelled the existing Grade II listed sports arena into a huge 600m² state-of-the-art fitness gym with multiple studios and changing facilities. The building has been re-roofed, with new electrical installation and natural ventilation provided throughout. The project maximises the use of the existing sports building ensuring the highest possible standard of facilities.