It’s Meadowbank … but not as you know it!

The city council has released a computer-generated journey through its soon-to-be-built Meadowbank Sports Centre. The flythrough video, produced by Holmes Miller and Visual Lane, has been created to give future users an impression of how the new cutting-edge complex will look when it opens in 2020.

Viewers can go on a virtual ‘first walk’ through the £45m designs, entering through a running track themed doorway into a light and airy atrium where users of all abilities will be able to access facilities on all levels.

The new video is released as contractors move on site to start work on the development. Graham Construction will carry out internal and ground works before demolishing the old building in the Spring and getting started on the new sports centre in Summer 2019.

Councillor Amy McNeese-Mechan, Edinburgh’s Vice Culture and Communities Convener, said: “This is Edinburgh’s Meadowbank… but not as you know it! The footage takes viewers on a virtual journey through the the brand-new sports centre which we’ll be building next year and the designs are truly impressive.

“We will be placing participation and accessibility at the heart of this new venue and I think this is now clear to see. Bright welcoming spaces will be flooded with natural light to provide welcoming and versatile halls, where a real variety of sports and activities can take place.

“Edinburgh’s new Meadowbank will be one of the country’s top community sports centres when it opens and feature some of the most state-of-the-art fitness facilities in Britain. The huge physical, mental and social benefits this project will bring to generations of local people simply can’t be overestimated.

“I’m excited to see GRAHAM Construction on site and at work on Edinburgh’s flagship new venue.”

GRAHAM has an excellent track record of leading on key Edinburgh buildings including the 2009 refurbishment of the Royal Commonwealth Pool and the build of our new St John’s Primary School in Portobello.

As part of the contract, GRAHAM will provide regular progress updates to the local community on their schedule of works and will launch a ‘Benefit in Kind’ fund of £40,000 to support local projects through time, materials and expertise, alongside a work apprenticeship programme and the creation of local jobs.

When it opens in 2020, the new Meadowbank will be managed by Edinburgh Leisure.

June Peebles, CEO at Edinburgh Leisure said: “Although the opening of the new Meadowbank is still some time off, these visuals bring the plans to life and give us a real sense of the new venue. It will provide countless opportunities for future generations to participate in physical activity and sport. It’s an exciting time as we look forward to the next chapter of this iconic venue.”

The Council project received planning permission(external link) in June 2018 as well as confirmation of a £5m pledge from the national agency for sport, sportscotland.

sportscotland Chief Executive Stewart Harris said: “Meadowbank has been an important part of Scotland’s world-class sporting system for many years and this new development aims to build on that legacy.

“From aspiring athletes to the local community, the redevelopment of Meadowbank is being designed to provide more opportunities for people to take part in sport at every level.

“We look forward to seeing the plans taking shape and to continuing our partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council and Edinburgh Leisure to deliver a great facility for generations to come.”

The designs for the new complex were agreed with input from user groups and professional sporting bodies including athletic groups.

Mark Munro, Chief Executive of Scottish Athletics, added: “It is great to see the project progressing, particularly with the appointment of GRAHAM Construction. The concept imagery also brings to life the new centre and the proposed layouts for the public to see which is fantastic.”

In June, the Development Management Sub Committee also approved the principle of the redevelopment of land surrounding the Sports Centre for mixed uses including residential, student accommodation, hotel and commercial uses, together with car parking, landscaping, drainage and ancillary works.

What to expect from the New Meadowbank Sports Centre

• Features will include a new dedicated indoor athletics area which will be larger than before and will allow many different athletics disciplines to train at the same time. It will be available for use whenever the centre is open as opposed to the previous space which doubled as a concourse for the stadium.
• Two games halls will provide space for a range of sports, designed to match the size of the halls in the previous facility.
• A new gym with triple the number of exercise stations will be built, alongside three larger fitness studios and a purpose-built gymnastics area more suitable for the gymnasts needs.
• Indoors the venue will also boast martial-arts and boxing spaces, two squash courts, a café and office space for Edinburgh Leisure staff.
• Outside the running track will be resurfaced and two new all-weather pitches for football will be available all year round.
• This is in addition to a dedicated purpose-built space for throw athletics such as discus and javelin and bespoke changing facilities for outdoor users.

Full video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlMD6_nKCW0.