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Olympic Standards at Winchester University
Following invited competition, the University of Winchester appointed Smith Construction to design and build their new sports facility for a 9-acre site on what was formally known as King Alfred’s Sportsfield. The setting by the South Downs required a sensitive approach and the superb facility fits in to the landscape as if it had grown there!
The development works began in September 2007 for an Olympic Standard, 400m, eight-lane athletics track, Long and Triple Jumps, High Jump, Pole Vaults, Shot Putt, Discuss, and a full-sized Sand Dressed all-weather Hockey and General Sports Pitch.
Smith’s design team ensured that a proven drainage and storm attenuation system was incorporated with storage swales. The existing site was and to begin with, required a fairly serious cut and fill operation in order to achieve the correct levels on which to build the track. Smiths utilised their pioneering ground stabilisation system to ensure that the finished surface levels remain true. (Cut and fill with traditional methods of base construction cannot be used due to the differential compaction possibilities) The Tarmac surface tolerance has to be +/- 1mm prior to the final polymeric surface installation to ensure +/- 3mm for IAAF Certification.
The Hockey pitch is designed for national games and also has markings for other sports. It provides a very high standard of play, with performance characteristics similar to a water based surface. The facilities will be kept in pristine condition. They will be cared for by Smith’s specialist maintenance division.
Earlier in the year, it was announced that the facility will be used as a “Pre Games training camp” for the 2012 Olympics.
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