Contractor appointed to deliver £14m 'world-leading' research centre in Sheffield

BAM Construction has been appointed to build a £14m Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre (AWRC) by Sheffield Hallam University.

Building work is expected to begin on the AWRC, which will form of the Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park (OLP), in February 2018.

Delivered by Sheffield Hallam University in partnership with Legacy Park Ltd, the AWRC is supported by the UK Government which committed £14m of funding to the project.

The centre, which is being designed by HLM Architects, will comprise a 7.5m high indoor laboratory, 3rd generation pitch with cameras and tracking instruments, 3D biomechanical and gait analysis and scanning, a manufacturing workshop, MRI, CT, ultrasound, body composition measurement and physiological testing and a technology demonstration hub.

The aim of the AWRC is to create innovations that will ‘improve the health of the nation’, tackling issues such as static levels of physical activity, rising obesity and mental health whilst also attracting new jobs and investment to the region.

The centre will feature indoor and outdoor facilities for 70 researchers to carry out research on health and physical activity in collaboration with the private sector. It will form part of the City Region’s Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District (AMID) - a 2,000 acre centre of excellence for innovation-led research and industrial collaboration.

Kelvin Pollard, construction director for BAM, said: “This scheme renews our successful partnership with the University. BAM’s strength in the higher education market is evident across our record in Yorkshire.

“We’ve also got a long-term commitment in Sheffield where we have contributed a lot to the City’s skyline and built environment. This fascinating new scheme will demand many skills from the construction team, and a very close understanding between ourselves, the University and all of the partners.

“We are very excited to bring our expertise to its creation, and as ever, will use the opportunity of the build itself to add something back for the community around it.”

Mark Swales, director of estates and facilities at Sheffield Hallam University, commented: “We are delighted to confirm BAM as our contractor to build what promises to be an impressive building.

“Our estate portfolio already provides high-quality teaching and learning spaces for our staff and students and the AWRC will add to this and allow us to conduct world-leading research that will improve the health of populations across the globe.”

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