CYCLING AHEAD Dave Brailsford Called It a “Statement of Intent” and Derby Arena Definitely Has the Appearance of One

NEW OPENING TOM WALKER, EDITOR, SPORTS MANAGEMENT MAGAZINE The decision to build the cycling track above ground floor level allows unimpeded access to the multi-use infield and its 12 sports courts CYCLING AHEAD Dave Brailsford called it a “statement of intent” and Derby Arena definitely has the appearance of one. Tom Walker takes a closer look at the UK’s newest velodrome and its innovative desiGn lad in gold, silver and bronze, badminton court hall space and extensive Derby Arena has a slightly Derby Arena in short event overlay potential. otherworldly look to it. With Michael Hall, FaulknerBrowns’ project an emphasis on inclusive Description: Only the fifth national partner, says the arena is not just a regional design and an innovative standard 250m indoor cycling track landmark but an example of how local Capproach to sustainability, it has been in the UK. The infield is can host authorities can up their game when it described as a facility which pushes the a variety of sports – badminton, comes to providing leisure facilities for the boundaries of public sector building design basketball, netball, volleyball future. “Derby Arena represents a new era in the UK. Located in Derby’s Pride Park and martial arts (all which can be and sets new standards in both multi-use next to the iPro Stadium, it’s one of the played by wheelchair users). velodrome and local authority community most significant 2012 Olympic legacy Cost: £24m building cost, with sports facility design,” Hall says. projects to be completed outside London. another £3.5m spent on external/ “The arena is a striking, inviting and enabling works. With support from motivating place to participate in sport and GETTING GOING Sport England’s Iconic Facilities Fund. also to visit as a spectator.” Derby Arena is the flagship project of Internal floor area: 14,500sq m Derby City Council’s (DCC) £50m leisure Architect: FaulknerBrowns DESIGNED TO IMPRESS strategy, announced in 2010 and drawn (Michael Hall and Nigel Tye) The budget for the building – £24m – was up in order to upgrade the city’s leisure Project manager: Mace relatively modest, considering the scale facilities. A feasibility study had suggested Engineers: Arup and the complex geometry created by the that the creation of a new, iconic, dry Contractor: Bowmer & Kirkland cycle track. The layout and form of the sports hub with an indoor 250m velodrome arena wraps the track with four storeys cycling track should be at the heart of the of supporting services and amenities – on plans. The idea was to produce a world to provide a multi-use facility capable one side there is a café foyer, gym, multi- class venue with the capacity to host elite of catering for the local community’s function spaces with a 200-seat balcony competitions, inspire people to take up needs as well as hosting high-profile, and plant room, while on the other sits the sport and help Derby achieve its target of national events. FaulknerBrowns’ plans 1,500-capacity spectator grandstand. becoming the “most active city in England”. also included a radical solution – to build A key requirement of DCC was to create When the tender was launched and the the cycle track above ground floor level a ‘wow factor’ on entering the building design bids came in, one – by architects and allow unimpeded access below to a and arena space. “Architecturally we made FaulknerBrowns – stood out. It promised central multi-use infield, providing a 12 a conscious decision that the building 42 sportsmanagement.co.uk issue 3 2015 © Cybertrek 2015 The main spectator stand has a capacity of 1,500 (left). The Arena has been designed to act as a community sports hub for local residents design should be bold, simple and dynamic velodrome in the Netherlands has a 200m reflecting the internal sporting function Facilities running track – but access is usually only and a sense of movement,” says Hall. accessible by a bewildering route of ramps “The ‘wow’ factor that DCC wanted was Q 250m indoor cycling track and unpleasant tunnels. achieved by the axial route into the arena Q Cycle hub with hire, repair & storage “At Derby, by raising the cycle track, we infield with the spectator seat backdrop.” Q 140-station health club and gym were able to provide flexibility and vastly There were challenges too, as the site supplied by Technogym increased accessibility of the infield which area for the venue was limited. “The site Q Watt bike and exercise studios opened up the opportunity for the facility required the 250m cycle track and the Q Sports infield the size of 12 to deliver a vast range of events alongside arena had to be rotated 45 degrees to badminton courts the day-to-day sporting output.” make the building fit within the site area Q Fixed seating for 1,600 spectators The lifted design of the track – alongside width,” project architect Nigel Tye explains. Q Events and conferencing facilities the integration of acoustics, catering and “The spaces around and beneath the Q Meeting and hospitality rooms toilet facilities – has helped create a very raised cycle track also had to be carefully Q Café and bar flexible venue. As well as being able to hold optimised – we had to keep the size of Q Fully accessible changing rooms 1,700 fans for cycling, the arena is able to the building small enough to deliver the host music and entertainment events for car parking requirements leased to Derby up to 5,000 people. County FC on match days.” For Tye, the overriding challenge underutilised. The day-to-day cyclists only SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS however, was to create a facility which require a small area to prepare for training, While economic sustainability was was sustainable in operation. “Velodromes which is usually to one semi-circle end of a key priority, the arena also has are generally underused and expensive the infield. There are many velodromes impressive credentials when it comes to buildings to operate and construct,” he where the infield is used for other activities environmental sustainability and energy says. “The infield area within a 250m cycle – Manchester Velodrome has a two-court saving. A low energy displacement heating track is 3,000sqm and in many facilities is sports hall space and the Apeldoorn and ventilation system installed in the sportsmanagement.co.uk issue 3 2015 © Cybertrek 2015 43 NEW OPENING The infield can be used for court-based sports and educational sessions even when the Velodrome is being used by cyclists The efficiencies of the compact design could set the future standards for sustainable, multi-use velodrome design main arena space allows stratification of MULTIPLE USES temperature, meaning that the sports in In the architect’s words: Nigel Tye The unique plans have delivered – Derby the middle will benefit from cooler air Arena is a truly multi-sport venue and had while a warmer temperature – preferred by The upper façade of the arena is more than 13,000 visitors in its first month cyclists – can be maintained on the track. expressed as a ribbon of material of operation. While the velodrome has All energy and water systems are which wraps (or spins) around the been received enthusiastically by cyclists, submetered and linked to a comprehensive building. The geometry created the opening of the arena has also given a building energy management system. Low between the curving roof profile and boost to DCC’s fitness memberships. energy LED technology has been used the lifting of the building front and Spectator events are being lined for all general lighting and the foyer is back has been deliberate to create a up too. The arena recently hosted the naturally ventilated. consistent height to the upper layer. Sky=sponsored national badminton The building’s form also helps with This consistency allows a horizontal competition and in August held cycling’s energy saving. The layout tightly wraps the strip cladding to be used akin to the 2015-16 Revolution Series – featuring internal facilities around the fixed form and boarding of the velodrome track. The Bradley Wiggins, Mark Cavendish, Jason dimensions of the cycle track to reduce aluminium shingles received a high Kenny and Laura Trott. And It’s not just the arena volume and its energy loads. quality anodised finish in three colours sport that is benefitting from the The Additionally, the building’s shape minimises reflecting sporting success as ‘gold, Arena. It has already hosted a diverse surface areas and reduces embodied silver and bronze medals’. The soft range of events including Derby University carbon within the substructure. metal cladding has a subtle distortion graduation, a BBC Symphony Orchestra Savings are also made on lighting, as / rippling which create a shimmering concert and a Jimmy Carr comedy event. natural light floods in from three, large surface appearance which adds to the Not to mention the Aladdin Panto, ‘eye-lid’ windows which permeate deep feeling of movement. scheduled for later in the year! into the facility. While reducing the reliance Sir Dave Brailsford, who was born in on artificial lighting, the windows also allow Derbyshire and lives on the outskirts of a passive connection with the outside. the city, is impressed. “When I heard they Tye says the building has been wanted to create this (the Arena) I thought deliberately designed in a simple and they were taking the mick,” he said. “But robust manner to provide ease of use they’ve done an absolutely fantastic job. of environmental systems – as well “This is a statement of intent from Derby as maintenance and operation. “The and the city council to invest in the future.

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