The £9m extension of Sportpark in Loughborough has been awarded Passivhaus status – one of the world’s most challenging energy efficiency and comfort standards in the world.
It means SportPark’s new Pavilion 4 will provide sports organisations with environmentally future-proof accommodation in a building with triple-glazed windows, an enhanced thermal efficient airtight building fabric, external solar shading, and a highly efficient heat and ventilation system under a roof covered with solar panels to further reduce its energy demand.
The extension was delivered by the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership as part of the Getting Building Fund. Funds were designated for investment in local, shovel-ready infrastructure projects to stimulate jobs and support economic recovery across the country.
The LLEP was allocated £20m, supporting the SportPark expansion with £6m. Further funding support has been provided by Loughborough Town Deal.
Andy Reed, LLEP Co-Chair, said: “Sustainability is a pillar of our economic growth strategy and, in funding SportPark Pavilion 4, we enabled development of a superb building at the highest standards of energy efficiency.
“The project has also supported more than 400 jobs within the construction phase alone, brought additional sports-related organisations to our region, and created a living lab for local architecture students with an interest in sustainable building design.”