The University has today (Wednesday 18 September) celebrated the official unveiling of the new extension to the Jubilee Sport and Recreation centre, marking a significant milestone in the development of our Highfield campus.
L to R: Deborah Gill, Mark E. Smith and Adam Knott
This event was a resounding success, bringing together key figures from our university community and beyond to celebrate this symbol of the University’s collective dedication to excellence in sports, recreation and overall wellbeing.
President and Vice-Chancellor at the University of Southampton, Mark E. Smith, welcomed guests to the event, celebrating the University’s dedication to excellence in sports, recreation and overall well-being: “This world class facility has been designed with inclusivity at its core. We have equipped it with the latest adaptive sports equipment, ensuring that people of all abilities have the opportunity to train, compete and thrive. Our commitment to inclusivity reflects our broader mission to create a campus where everyone feels valued and empowered.
“University of Southampton graduates have a proud history of Olympic participation and achievement over the last 60 years. We have had at least one Southampton graduate competing in each of the last ten summer Games – from Seoul in 1988 to Paris this summer, at which we had at least four alumni taking part.”
New Climbing Wall
Attendees were privileged to hear from Adam Knott, a Paralympian and alumnus who represented Great Britain in the 2012 Paralympic Games. Adam’s inspiring story of perseverance and triumph was a reminder of the transformative power of sport. His message resonated deeply, as he spoke about the importance of inclusive and accessible spaces like our new facility, which is equipped to support athletes of all abilities.
Deborah Gill, Vice-President (Education and Student Experience), also shared her excitement, emphasising how important it is for students to have access to sports facilities: “There is good evidence to suggest that being active and participating in sport is associated with greater cognitive and academic performance. For our student athletes, this centre provides the facilities they need to train and compete at the highest levels. It is a place where they can hone their skills, build resilience, create long lasting friendships and pursue their athletic and academic dreams. For those who enjoy sports recreationally, it offers a variety of activities that promote health, relaxation and fun.”
Mark Craig, Regional Managing Director of Wates Construction, who were the contractors responsible for the construction of the building, celebrated their long standing relationship with the University. The team’s hard work and dedication have brought this vision to life, resulting in a modern, sustainable facility that will serve the University for years to come.
Guests were invited on tours of the new facility, and were shown around the new cutting-edge fitness suite featuring 200+ stations, making it one of the largest gyms in Southampton. In addition to the impressive fitness suite the guests were also shown around the three new squash courts, four new fitness studios, a Technogym indoor cycling studio, and the dedicated climbing and bouldering wall.
The Jubilee Sport and Recreation Centre extension has been designed as a hub for use by our staff, students and the local community. The Centre will build on its established relationship with local schools and will continue to host community leagues, fitness classes and wellness programmes and school swimming lessons, ensuring that everyone has access to the resources needed to lead a healthy and active lifestyle.
To find out more about membership offers for Students, staff, alumni or the local community please visit southampton.likn.co/sport/memberships