PANSTADIA & ARENA MANAGEMENT 1ST QUARTER 2015 OLYMPIC LEGACY ARENA

2015 has seen the opening of the first Olympic legacy project to be completed in the UK since the 2012 Games. The futuristic-looking Arena – which is both a velodrome and multipurpose arena – is clad in gold, silver and bronze, stamping its Olympic credentials.

erby City Council marked the “We’re offering a brilliant opportunity and, just like its neighbour, the venue Dofficial opening of its iconic new to see the Arena in all its glory, try is hoping to secure a lucrative naming- GBP£27.5m Derby Arena on March first-hand what it has to offer and most rights deal. The multi-use Arena includes 20, 2015, with a series of events to importantly, give the Arena’s visitors fitness and wellbeing facilities, as well as ‘unwrap’ the facility to the public and and Derby people the opportunity to a sports infield the size of 12 badminton wider sports venue sector. help us shape the running and operating courts, which is surrounded by a national ” Councillor Alison Martin, Cabinet Member of this fabulous venue. standard 250m indoor track. for Leisure and Culture, commented The futuristic-looking 14,500m² The geometry of the cycle track, which prior to the opening: “I’m truly excited to (156,000sqft) Derby Arena sits next is the centrepiece of the Arena, was announce the opening date for the iconic, to Derby County FC’s iPro Stadium designed by a specialist track building world-class, venue that is Derby Arena. (formerly known as Stadium) company from Germany who also The initial ‘unwrapping’ event promises to be something quite special.

The 4,500m² (156,000ft²) Derby Arena.

106 www.psam.uk.com

VENUE IN Derby Arena includes fitness and FOCUS OLYMPIC wellbeing facilities, as well as a sports DERBY ARENA infield the size of 12 badminton courts, which is surrounded by the ‘jewel in the crown’ that is a national standard 250m LEGACY ARENA indoor cycling track.

Derby Arena: key construction information u The futuristic-looking building derby arena has a footprint of 14,500m² or 156,000ft² Project Statistics u The vast structure incorporates Opened March 2015 1,700 tonnes of steel; that’s the Location Derby, UK equivalent of 200 London buses Construction cost GBP£28m u If the steel was to be laid out end- Owner & Operator to-end it would stretch the length Architect FaulknerBrowns Architects of a marathon Design team Mace Ltd u If all the wood for the track was Arup Civil, structural, mechanical & put end-to-toe it would reach geotechnical engineering: from Derby to Leicester Transport, acoustics & fire Arup consultancy u 265,000 nails were hand-driven Contractor Bowmer & Kirkland into the 250m track over a six Construction manager Scott Millington week construction period Capacity 5,000 (1,500 fixed spectator seats. The infield can be used u The track has no finish as such flexibly to seat 2,000 or allow standing room for up to 3,500) other than the coloured painted Amenities The 14,500m² (156,000sqft) Arena houses only the fifth racing lines national standard 250m indoor cycling track in the UK. The u The geometry of the track was track’s infield – which is the size of 12 badminton courts – can host a variety of sports, including badminton, basketball, designed by a specialist track netball, wheelchair basketball, volleyball, martial arts, table building company from Germany tennis and trampolining. The venue also features a state-of- who also sourced, fabricated and the-art 150-station gym, an indoor cycling studio and two installed the timber purpose-built exercise studios. The Arena’s car park offers u Planks of wood for the track capacity for 1,100 cars and eight coaches. The cafe/bar and came from the Russian pine hospitality rooms are fitted out with Wi-Fi and AV equipment for meetings and functions. forests of Siberia

107 PANSTADIA & ARENA MANAGEMENT 1ST QUARTER 2015

sourced, fabricated and installed the Terraplas at Derby Arena timber to create the track. Planks of wood for the track which, laid end- to-end, would stretch from Derby to Leicester, came from the Russian pine forests of Siberia. 265,000 nails were hand-driven into the 250m track, over a six week construction period. The track has no finish as such other than the coloured painted racing lines. UK’s First Olympic Legacy Project Derby Arena is one of the UK’s first Olympic legacy projects to be carried out since London 2012. The Arena’s indoor velodrome is one of only five in the UK, joining the National Cycle Centre Manchester, Wales National Velodrome Terraplas supplied approximately 2,500m² of their terracover“V”® product and (Newport, South Wales), London accessories to the Derby Arena to protect their sprung wooden sports floor; Olympic Velodrome and the Sir Chris contributing extensively to the ability of this state-of-the-art facility to be fully Hoy Velodrome, Glasgow. multi-purpose. The Arena marks the first phase The terracover“V” system provides the Arena with the ability to drive forklifts in Derby’s Leisure Strategy, which over the floor during the fitting of additional seating, to erect structures on the proposes the most exciting and floor and for use during future maintenance, all without risking damage to their significant leisure developments for the sports hall playing surface. city in the last 40 years. The Strategy builds on the city’s sporting heritage, Robert Else, Chairman of Terraplas commented: “It is a great pleasure for placing it firmly ‘on the map’, and Terraplas to work with this local high-profile venue. The initial week of Graduation contributing to the local economy by events demonstrated how terracover“V” can be implemented by the Arena helping to regenerate and redevelop to facilitate a plethora of alternative events, ensuring a continuous flow of areas of the city. Central to the Strategy additional revenue.” is the development of two iconic sporting hubs, Derby Arena and Derby Aquatics Centre. In the wake of the that will complement the iPro Stadium honour for us to be working on the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic and also function as a stand-alone first Olympic legacy project. As a Games, the facilities will provide an facility. The sculptured form will be Derbyshire-based company it gives us exciting and innovative legacy for Derby. very striking, exhibiting fluidity and a real sense of pride to work with the movement to reflect the activities City Council to build this exciting Arena, Sport England part-funded the Arena, taking place inside.” which will be available to everyone in with a GBP£3m investment made the region.” through its Iconic Facilities Olympic and He added: “Flexibility was the key to Paralympic legacy fund, with the balance success for the Arena. We needed to Award-winning Arena being funded by Derby City Council. make the best use of the infield area The iconic Arena has already begun for recreational sport, competitions, The multipurpose venue will host a wide receiving plaudits too, one being the events and concerts, whilst maximising range of concerts, conferences, product ‘Brighter City of Derby’ award for Best access to the velodrome to ensure launches and cultural events, offering a New Build of 2014. that we created a facility that appeals 5,000-capacity through a combination of to international athletes and puts Described as “bold, striking and seated and standing. In velodrome-mode, Derby on the sports map. Our team ambitious”, the judges commented the facility has fixed seating for 1,700. has experience from London 2012, that the siting of this important sports Design Team Manchester Commonwealth Games and and entertainment venue gives it a the acclaimed Apeldoorn centre in the striking and imposing position next to Derby City Council named Mace as the Netherlands, so we knew we could pull the city’s football stadium and makes successful design team for Derby Arena it off for Derby.” an important statement about Derby’s back in August 2011. The Mace bid offered sporting ambitions. the Council excellent value for money Michael Hall, Partner and Architect at Councillor Alison Martin, Cabinet Member and was sympathetic to the need of the FaulknerBrowns, added: “It’s been a for Leisure and Culture, said: “Derby city and of the Pride Park site. Mace had great privilege to be involved in such a Arena is one of the most stunning sports previously worked on the refurbishment special project. The innovative way in venues in the country, clad in beautiful of Derby’s Council House, as well as on which and multipurpose Olympic colours. I’m absolutely delighted the London 2012 velodrome. activities have been combined together is a world first.” that the Derby Civic Society has selected Speaking before the official opening, Derby Arena for this prestigious award Mace Project Director, David Grose, said: Bowmer & Kirkland Director, Robert recognising our ambitious plans to “We have designed an iconic building Kirkland, commented: “It is a great deliver on the London 2012 Legacy.” n

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