New multi-area sports zone to be created

The University is planning to invest in the project on land at the junction of North Street and Oxley Street, which sits within the perimeter of its Lomas Street Halls of Residence.

The multi area games area will provide floodlit facilities suitable for five-a-side football, basketball, netball, tennis, hockey, volleyball and circuit training.

Mike Chamberlain, the University’s Director of Sport, said: “We currently don’t have any outdoor sporting provision at the City Campus so this facility will be very much welcomed by staff and students.

“It uses land that currently is under-utilised and will be an ideal addition to our facilities in the Molineux quarter.

“As a University we are always looking at ways to improve participation in sports and fitness activity and are keen to increase the number of sports teams we have.”

Vice Chancellor, Professor Geoff Layer, said: “This is fits in perfectly with a lot of our aims for the coming few years.

“It will enhance facilities for students and staff, promote health and wellbeing and further help regenerate this part of our campus and of the city centre. As well as being good in terms of health and wellbeing there is the social side to it.

“Coming off the back of London 2012 and the whole debate around legacy I can think of no better time to be creating such an area.”

Planning permission for the area has been granted by Wolverhampton City Council and it is hoped work will get underway on creating the facility in mid-May with a view to it being completed before the end of August.

The sports area will operate between 9am and 9pm Monday to Saturday and 9am to 8pm on Sundays and Bank Holidays.

ENDS

For more information please contact James Allen in the Media Relations Office on 01902 322003

Date Issued: Tuesday 23 April 2013