Archive for month: January, 2024

Last updated on 1 February 2024

A state-of-the-art strength and conditioning facility at the University of Leeds’ Cromer Terrace that will become a home for the University’s sports clubs and performance athletes has officially opened.

The newly refurbished space includes a new strength and conditioning floor alongside physio and massage therapy facilities and will allow specialist staff to provide new levels of performance support to students representing the University across more than 65 sports.

It will also be used as an academic teaching space and allow the University to grow its teaching and research agenda with partners across the city.

The space has been kitted out with sector-leading strength and conditioning equipment from BLK BOX, who also supply the Nike HQ in London, Aston Villa Football Club and Irish Rugby.

Work on the building started in early 2023, with its completion providing students with the chance to use the facilities after returning for the start of spring term.

Supporting student athletes

David Oldroyd, Interim Director of Development at the University of Leeds, said: “The refurbished Cromer Terrace is a prime example of how we are implementing our strategy to repurpose and improve the facilities we have on campus.

“This has been a joint project between Estates, Sport & Physical Activity and Leeds University Union, a collaboration that has enabled us to provide a top-quality training facility our student athletes can use to reach their sporting potential.”

Suzanne Glavin, Head of Sport at the University of Leeds said: “The development and refurbishment of our facilities will hugely enhance the offer and experience here at Leeds.

“By upgrading our facilities, we can further support our incredibly talented athletes and provide our knowledgeable staff with spaces that allow them to deliver the best possible training.”

Find out more about the services provided by Sport & Physical Activity, including details on facilities, memberships and more. 

Read more about the Estates team. 

Last updated on 29 January 2024

The Estates team start work today (29 January) to explore whether there is geothermal energy underground on campus that could be used to heat buildings.

Bringing together experts from the Facilities Directorate and the academic community, the project is part of the University’s Net Zero Delivery Plan.

Eight test boreholes will be drilled on campus looking for underground water at a temperature that could be used to heat part of the estate.

Ann Allen, Director of Campus Innovation & Development said:

“As part of our Climate Plan, it is critical that we reduce emissions created by heating the campus.

“This truly collaborative work explores not only a solution for that reduction, but also offers a real-life research opportunity to our staff and students as a Living Lab. We’ll share our learnings with our partners in the wider city too.

“We’re sorry that the work will cause some disruption on campus and we’re doing everything we can to mitigate that.”

What does the work involve?

Specialists ANTS Drilling will drill eight boreholes which will reach between 150 and 250 metres into the ground below campus. Some of these holes will be water wells, looking for underground water at the right temperature to use for geothermal heat. These are around 50cm in diameter. Some of the holes will be monitoring wells and are around 15cm in diameter.

Once the test boreholes are completed they will be capped at ground level.

Find out more about geothermal drilling on the Sustainability website.

Check locations and potential disruption on the Estates website.

As the work progresses there will be opportunities to find out more about progress and the research on the events page on the Sustainability website.