New State-of-the-art Covered Sports Centre an asset for both Scots College & Wellington region

On Friday 4 November Scots College will celebrate the official opening of a stunning new Covered Sports Centre built on the College’s historic grounds in Strathmore, Wellington.

“This purpose-built indoor sports centre has been designed by award-winning Athfield Architects and utilizes the very latest in building materials, specialist sports surfaces and technology. It really is a showcase of what’s possible – all it needs now is people to bring it to life,” commented Headmaster of Scots College, Mr Graeme Yule.

“The completion of this new facility is very exciting for both the College and Wellington’s wider sporting community. We are delighted a number of key sporting and political figures are able to join us for the opening on Friday. Cricket icon, Mr Don Neely will officially open the building and will be joined by well-known cricket coach and commentator Mr John Morrison, All Black and Scots College Old Boy Mr Victor Vito, the Hon Christopher Finlayson, the Hon Annette King, MP Heather Roy and Mayor of Wellington, Ms Celia Wade-Brown,” confirmed Yule.

“The space-age look and feel of the building has been quite a talking point,” reflected architect Jeremy Perrott. “The structure is made of rib-like laminated curved timber beams covered by translucent polycarbonate sheeting, which makes the building feel very light and airy. It provides all the benefits of an indoor sports facility – you can train day and night in any weather, at any time of year – however you don’t get that feeling of being enclosed,” commented Perrott.

Scots College has worked in partnership with Cricket Wellington to ensure this world-class practice facility meets international standards for cricket, including four sprung practice lanes, retractable nets and software that monitors bowling speed and form. “I look forward to the day we have the Black Caps and visiting international teams in here training,” said Yule. “The opportunities this facility presents for our students and the Wellington region are enormous.”

“While the building has been customized for cricket practice, with the push of a button the cricket nets retract into the ceiling to make way for the 800m2 playing turf to be used for a whole variety of sports. From football to volleyball, sprint training sessions to early morning yoga, anything’s possible,” confirmed Yule.

The Covered Sports Centre will be used not only by Scots College for PE classes and team practices, but will also be available for use by various community groups.

“It is important that the community feel welcome as this is their sports facility as much as it is ours. My vision is for it to become a bustling centre of activity – a place where young and old come to be active, to meet, participate and compete – a building is only as valuable and vital as it is well-used,” reflected Yule.

The completion of this building is a real milestone for the College. “Our 2011 campus development plan also includes a three storey Creative and Performing Arts Centre, which will open for the new school year in February 2012,” said Yule, “These two buildings are a result of great vision, hard work, determination and the generous support of a number of very passionate people who have contributed time, energy and funds to ensure they are realized.”

“I see this building as a symbol of what’s possible when you really set your mind to something. I am incredibly proud of the way our community has pulled together to make it happen,” said Yule.

Covered Sports Centre - Building Details:

• 1350m2 (sq metres) of Polycarbonate Sheeting
• 800m2 (sq metres) of Tiger Turf
• 300 linear metres of Glulam timber beam used (1170 linear metres of timber purlins)
• Ceiling Height = 5m in the middle (working ceiling height of 4.5m)
• Floor Space = 800m2 of playing surface and 200m2 of amenity space
• Approx 273 days (or 195 working days) to build
• 1 of a kind in Wellington Region

Event Details:
Official Opening
Date: Friday, 4 November 2011
Time: 11.30am start (ceremony concludes 12.30pm)
Location: Scots College Covered Sports Centre, Monorgan Road, Strathmore
Program: Invited guests will be welcomed by students with an all-College haka (840 students), followed by addresses by Chair of the Board of Scots College, Mr Grant Dennis, Headmaster Graeme Yule and a blessing by College Chaplain, Mr Richard Carr.
The building will be officially opened by Mr Don Neely, MBE, MNZM, a New Zealand cricket historian, administrator and former player. He is a former President of New Zealand Cricket and has written or co-written over 30 books on New Zealand cricket.

Media who would like to attend the event are asked to please contact Anna Burtt, Communications Manager at Scots College in advance.