Campbell College in East Belfast is to receive a facelift on its sports building.
The grammar school, founded in 1894, will receive major refurbishment of the existing sports buildings located north of the main school building, Belmont Road, Belfast BT4, close to Stormont ’s parliament buildings.
All the sports buildings will be re-clad with replacement roof finishes and introduction of PV panels on the roofs. Works also include landscaping and courtyard development.
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Elected representatives at the recent meeting of the Belfast City Council Planning Committee unanimously approved the application by Mr K Wilson of Campbell College.
The plan was recommended by council officers. Statutory consultees offered no objections subject to conditions and no representations were received from objectors or supporters.
The existing sports building was built in 1971 and is a large red brick building with a courtyard area to the side entrance, a sports hall, swimming pool, gym, teaching rooms and an associated plant. The main school building at Campbell College is a Grade B1 Listed Building, as is the Gate House.
The council planning report states: “The existing sports buildings are divided into three elements with a swimming pool building; squash courts and sports hall. Changing facilities and circulation space connect all three. The existing swimming pool building initially will be redeveloped into a fitness suite with demolition works involved.
“The second phase will cover the redevelopment of the old squash courts, boiler room and demolition of the existing central accommodation. This will create a new gymnastics space, climbing wall and changing facilities.
“The third phase will be the refit of the existing sports hall with new finishes, storage space and high level windows for natural daylighting.”
It adds: “A survey of the existing sports building for Campbell College, Belfast, revealed that it is nearing the end of its useful, cost effective and maintainable life. The accompanying DAS states “part of the existing building is beyond its serviceable life, is environmentally inefficient and is cost prohibitive to refurbish to modern standards.”
“The Plan Strategy Statement confirms “The pool building sits vacant while the changing facilities and sports hall are nearing the end of their life, requiring significant energy to run.” Some demolition works are proposed, whilst aiming to reuse the existing structure.”
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