Loughborough College Opens Pioneering New Sports Centre

Loughborough College has officially opened its state-of-the-art sports and learning facility, marking a major milestone in the College’s ongoing investment in world-class education and athletic excellence. 

The Sports Centre was opened this week in an official ribbon cutting ceremony with the Mayor of Charnwood, David Northgate, and several sporting alumni of the College.  

Designed to provide students with unparalleled access to modern training environments and flexible learning spaces, the £9.91 million development was funded by the Department for Education and constructed by leading regional contractor, Stepnell. The new building features cutting-edge sports training zones, contemporary classrooms, and exceptional staff facilities - all crafted to inspire excellence both on and off the field. 

During the event, guests were also shown around the new Performance and Recovery Centre (PaRC); a sector-leading facility which will support the College’s sport degree programmes, which are awarded by Loughborough University. 

The opening of the Sports Centre is part of Loughborough College’s wider £35 million campus development plan, which includes major projects such as the East Midlands Institute of Technology and the Digital Skills Hub. 

Corrie Harris, CEO at Loughborough College Group, said: “This incredible new facility represents a defining moment for Loughborough College and our commitment to being at the forefront of sports education and training. We are proud to provide our students with access to world-class resources that will nurture the next generation of athletic and academic talent. 

“By partnering with Stepnell, we have ensured that this project not only meets our high standards of innovation and performance, but also reflects our deep commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainability.” 

Sustainability has been at the heart of the development, with Stepnell implementing a fabric-first approach to maximise thermal efficiency, reduce energy consumption, and enhance the building’s overall environmental performance. 

Tom Sewell, director at Stepnell, said: “Delivering this world-class sports and learning facility has been an exciting opportunity to combine our specialist expertise in both education and sport and leisure developments. 

“By working closely with Loughborough College, we’ve been able to carefully plan and minimise disruption throughout the build, resulting in a fantastic, flexible, and sustainable facility that will support academic excellence and athletic ambitions for many years to come.” 

The facility will serve as a cornerstone for the College’s sports and educational programmes, supporting students as they pursue excellence in their chosen fields and helping to maintain Loughborough College’s reputation as a leader in sports education.