Michael Woods Sports and Leisure Centre

Completed in June 2013, the £19.5m new-build Michael Woods Sports and Leisure Centre is one of the most striking Local Authority leisure facilities in the UK. Replacing the existing 1970’s FIPRE Fife Institute, the new centre is located on Viewfield Road, Glenrothes. The primary driver in the design of the new centre has been the desire to create an engaging and stimulating environment that improves health, by actively encouraging participation in sports and leisure facilities.

The building promotes accessibility for all, with a clear sense of arrival and a layout that is simply laid out and easy to navigate. Dramatic glazed slots offer glimpse views into the pool hall. The glazed fitness suite, that activates the frontage to Viewfield Road, enjoys expansive landscape views. The foyer, reception and café are positioned to connect visually to all key functions within the building, with key linkages between changing and sports areas and connections to quality café areas. Materials have been carefully selected to be durable, easily cleaned and low in embedded energy.

The centre is one of the best equipped facilities in Fife, offering regional standard sports and leisure facilities and a huge range of programmes and activities. Thanks to a choice of 3 swimming pools, 85-station gym with state-of-the-art equipment, fitness studios, squash courts, sports hall, outdoor pitches, health suite, crèche and café – the centre delivers unrivalled choice and quality.

Since its doors opened in the summer of 2013, thousands of people, of all ages and abilities, have taken advantage of the centre’s contemporary, well-laid out facilities. External facilities include a full size floodlit synthetic turf pitch, 3 five-a-side and 1 seven-a-side 3G synthetic turf pitches, as well as a refurbished floodlit Athletic Track.

Fife Council acted as client body and Project Manager, with Turner and Townsend providing cost consultancy services and Arup delivering Structural, Civil and M&E Engineering services. The architectural, lead consultant and contract administration roles were provided in collaboration by both cre8ARCHITECTURE and B3 Architects.

Details

Location: Glenrothes

Value: £19,483,101

Start Date: May 2011

End Date: June 2013

Main Contractor: Graham Construction