Rushcliffe Arena

Showing sport in a new light at Rushcliffe Arena

In May 2014, Rushcliffe Borough Council approved an ambitious development plan to breathe new life into the outdated Rushcliffe Arena. The £15m project was designed to drastically improve the facilities already on offer, and to incorporate and modernise those being provided by the nearby Rushcliffe Leisure Centre.

As the new Rushcliffe Arena was to serve as a recreational space for the whole community, creating an open and welcoming atmosphere for all visitors was crucial. By incorporating VELUX Modular Skylights in the entrance foyer, all customers could be greeted with abundant natural daylight and a relaxed atmosphere – both welcome qualities in a busy leisure centre.

VELUX Modular Skylights’ prefabricated modular flashing and integrated insulation ensured a 100% waterproof installation, and the slim, elegant design allowed them to blend seamlessly into other areas of the building too, including the modern office accommodation comprised in the new development.

A guiding light in modern leisure facilities
The new Rushcliffe Arena welcomed its first customers on January 3, 2017 and provides the West Bridgford community with numerous modern leisure facilities:

A 25m main pool
A learner pool with family beach
A bowling green
Two aerobics studios
A snooker room
A multi-purpose event room
Squash courts
A sports hall
A gym

Mixing business with leisure
The development is now also the new home of the Rushcliffe Borough Council. Having spent the last 34 years in the landmark Civic Centre overlooking the River Trent, the Council moved into the more modern office accommodation provided in the arena.

As lighting plays a key role in creating a comfortable and safe working environment, having the flexibility to regulate the level of direct sunlight in the building was an important consideration. The innovative VELUX INTEGRA® control pad gives arena employees complete control of the pre-mounted roller blinds fitted in the rooflights, and the ability to increase or decrease the natural light as necessary.

"The modular VELUX rooflight system is practical, easy to fit and aesthetically pleasing. We had three separate rooflights on the project. The two large ones form the centre piece of the entrance foyer bringing natural light into this central area. The third is a linear rooflight along a corridor in the first floor, helping create a comfortable working environment in the office space.

Paul McClements Project Manager, Farrans Construction

Made to last
The new Rushcliffe Arena looks set to provide the local community with outstanding sports, leisure, and office facilities well into the foreseeable future. The durable, cost-effective design of VELUX Modular Skylights ensures that they will help create a striking internal aesthetic for the arena now, and for the years yet to come.

Farrans Construction were contracted to carry out development of the new arena, designed by McAdam Design Architects. Work commenced in August 2015 and completed in December 2016.