Image of Cromer Terrace S&C facility

Refurbished Cromer Terrace strength and conditioning facility opens

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. 

Leeds university business school, maurice keyworth building

New net zero work explores geothermal heat on campus

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.

 

Image of Fariha Aasam

Ten minutes with Fariha Aasam

Last updated on 18 January 2024

Meet Fariha Aasam, Waste Manager in the Facilities Directorate at the University of Leeds. Fariha joined the University in December 2023 and is focusing on making waste management more sustainable at the University.

Describe your job in a few sentences.

I am responsible for managing the waste contract of university and developing and implementing effective waste management strategies to minimise environmental impact and ensure compliance with regulations. I coordinate waste collection, recycling programs, and disposal methods on campus.

I also collaborate with departments to raise awareness about sustainable practices and promotes a culture of waste reduction among students, faculty, and staff. Additionally, I analyse waste data, track trends, and recommend improvements to enhance the University’s overall environmental sustainability efforts.

Can you tell us about a project you’re currently working on?

Right now, I’m working on how we can improve the rates of recycling at the University and how we can make students and staff aware about re-using, recycling and reducing waste.

What aspects of your job do you think are most important to people at the University?

My role is really collaborative in nature because I have to work with departments across the University, like the Cleaning team and the Sustainability team. I work with students and staff to help make processes more sustainable and to raise awareness of sustainable practice. We need to make people aware of how they can reduce waste before it’s been produced by re-using, recycling and re-thinking if we need to buy something.

It’s inspiring to see the campus community come together to make a collective effort towards a greener and cleaner environment.

What part of the job are you looking forward to most this year?

I am enthusiastic about implementing circular economy principles to reduce the University’s waste footprint. I’m looking forward to creating a more sustainable system where waste is being minimised and resources are being used more efficiently.

We are also well underway in our work for the University’s Climate Plan, which is a real priority for the University. It’s exciting to work on something that holds such importance, not just for the University of Leeds, but for everyone, and I’m looking forward to seeing how much progress we make over the next 12 months.

Can you tell us a bit about your background before you joined the University?

I am an environmentalist with over nine years of experience in waste management industry. In 2018, I received an Erasmus Plus Scholarship from the European Union to study a Masters in Urban Climate and Sustainability.

After that I worked with NHS Scotland on implementation of circular economy in procurement to make of healthcare sector sustainable. Most recently, I completed an MSc in Climate Justice from Glasgow Caledonian University.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

I really enjoy the collaborative nature of what I do. I work with students, staff and the different departments within the University every day. I get to speak with so many different people, which is amazing. I’m excited to see how we can work together to create more impact.

Knowing that the work I do today will have a positive impact on the university and the environment for years to come is incredibly satisfying. It’s about leaving a legacy of sustainable practices for future generations.

Find out more about the University’s net zero goals.

Roger stevens in winter

Estates and Facilities round off 2023 on a high

Last updated on 12 January 2024

With festive celebrations, graduation ceremonies and more, December has been a busy and exciting month for Estates and Facilities. Read about our highlights from the final month of the year.

Decorating campus for the holidays

December means the holiday season, and the completion of a major operation undertaken by Estates and Facilities to make campus look and feel suitably festive.

The team collected 43 Christmas trees and installed them at well-known campus locations, including the Parkinson Building, the Great Hall and the Edward Boyle Library.

Our team also installed Christmas lights outside of the Great Hall.

Leeds-based design specialists Silver Bells Designs installed lighting and decorations on the biggest trees, including the 35ft tree in Beech Grove Plaza.

Supporting December graduation ceremonies

Graduation signage image

 

Graduation ceremonies took place in the Great Hall from 11-19 December, as thousands of students celebrated their achievements alongside friends and family.

Estates and Facilities played a key role in ensuring ceremonies ran smoothly, working around the clock to keep campus clean and tidy.

Roads around campus were swept for over 30 hours during December, helping to make sure that the estate looked in pristine condition for those all-important graduation pictures.

The team also made sure that guests knew where they were heading, through the installation of specialist signs across campus.

Thanks to everyone within the team who played their part in ensuring that these major events in our calendar ran smoothly.

Read more about the services Estates look after.

Parking restrictions at Henry Price

Last updated on 16 January 2024

On Thursday 11 January, there will Parking Restrictions to the spaces at the rear of the Henry Price building to allow surface scanning. See the area below.

Services to be interrupted

Parking restrictions.

Effects of this interruption upon building occupants

Parking Restrictions to the spaces at the Henry Price building.

Henry price parking image

For enquiries please contact: Paul Thomas

Contact Telephone Mobile: 0113 343 5944 Mobile: 07932 863 062
Email: 
p.thomas@leeds.ac.uk

If the above member of staff is unavailable, you have any general queries about our services, please contact the Estate Services Helpdesk on 0113 343 5555 or email: eshelp@leeds.ac.uk

Thank you for your patience and apologies for any inconvenience caused.

Parking restrictions at Mechanical Engineering

Last updated on 16 January 2024

On Thursday 11 January, there will Parking Restrictions to the spaces at the rear of the Mechanical Engineering building to allow surface scanning. See the area below.

Services to be interrupted

Parking restrictions.

Effects of this interruption upon building occupants

Parking Restrictions to the spaces at the rear of the Mechanical Engineering building, adjacent to the Medical extension.

Mechanical Engineering Parking disruption image

For enquiries please contact: Paul Thomas

Contact Telephone Mobile: 0113 343 5944 Mobile: 07932 863 062
Email: 
p.thomas@leeds.ac.uk

If the above member of staff is unavailable, you have any general queries about our services, please contact the Estate Services Helpdesk on 0113 343 5555 or email: eshelp@leeds.ac.uk

Thank you for your patience and apologies for any inconvenience caused.

Parking restrictions at Maurice Keyworth

Last updated on 16 January 2024

On Thursday 11 January, there will Parking Restrictions to the spaces at the rear of the Maurice Keyworth building to allow surface scanning. See the boxed area below.

Services to be interrupted

Parking restrictions.

Effects of this interruption upon building occupants

Parking Restrictions to the spaces at the Maurice Keyworth building.

Maurice Keyworth Parking disruption image

For enquiries please contact: Paul Thomas

Contact Telephone Mobile: 0113 343 5944 Mobile: 07932 863 062
Email:
p.thomas@leeds.ac.uk

If the above member of staff is unavailable, you have any general queries about our services, please contact the Estate Services Helpdesk on 0113 343 5555 or email: eshelp@leeds.ac.uk

Thank you for your patience and apologies for any inconvenience caused.

Parking restrictions at Storm Jameson

Last updated on 16 January 2024

On Thursday 11 January, there will Parking Restrictions to the spaces at the rear of the Storm Jameson building to allow surface scanning. See the boxed area below.

Services to be interrupted

Parking restrictions.

Effects of this interruption upon building occupants

Parking Restrictions to the spaces at the Storm Jameson building.

Storm Jameson Parking disruption image

For enquiries please contact: Paul Thomas

Contact Telephone Mobile: 0113 343 5944 Mobile: 07932 863 062
Email:
p.thomas@leeds.ac.uk

If the above member of staff is unavailable, you have any general queries about our services, please contact the Estate Services Helpdesk on 0113 343 5555 or email: eshelp@leeds.ac.uk

Thank you for your patience and apologies for any inconvenience caused.

Natural Gas outlets unavailable

Last updated on 16 January 2024

From Monday 8 January to Wednesday 10 January, there will be no Natural Gas available within the Energy Research Building and the Chemical and Process Engineering Building.

Services to be interrupted

Building users will be unable to use Natural Gas outlets for the duration of the works.

There may be a slight small of gas outside whilst works are being undertaken. The Bike shed to the rear of SCAPE will remain accessible, although access may only be possible from Woodhouse Lane.

 

For enquiries please contact: Bob Douglass

Contact Telephone Mobile: 07957 227094
Email: 
r.douglass@leeds.ac.uk

If the above member of staff is unavailable, you have any general queries about our services, please contact the Estate Services Helpdesk on 0113 343 5555 or email: eshelp@leeds.ac.uk

Thank you for your patience and apologies for any inconvenience caused.