sports buildings
New players’ village
A new players’ village has opened at Devonshire Park in Eastbourne to provide facilities for women’s and men’s tennis.
EASTBOURNE Borough Council and the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) jointly funded the building, which was designed by Levitt Bernstein and constructed by contractor Kier, as part of the £44m Devonshire Quarter scheme. The glass-fronted two storey building
incorporates player changing rooms, fitness and physio suites, player lounges and medical facilities. Levitt Bernstein’s brief was to create a new
building befitting the quality expected for an international sports venue. Outside of tournament time, the space is required to be flexible to accommodate a number of different activities and events. Replacing an existing fitness centre and
former bandstand on the western edge of the park, the new building is conceived as an independent pavilion. The concept is of a timber skin enclosing a glazed volume, with openings on the east and west elevations offering views over the tennis fields. Hit and miss detailing over the windows
create a sense of movement, whilst a concrete plinth makes the building appear to float above ground. In contrast to the surrounding brick buildings, timber was used for its lightweight and aesthetic properties, which feel
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more in keeping with that of a sports facility. Internally, the two storeys are identical, with
men’s facilities on the ground floor and women’s on the first. As well as large changing rooms, showers and toilets, there are flexible spaces which can be partitioned during the tournament to provide private rooms for doctors, physiotherapists and a players’ lounge. The players’ village is a modular construction,
utilising modules that were prefabricated offsite and craned into place, before the timber cladding was installed. This method was used primarily for speed to ensure the facilities were ready for the 2017 Aegon tournament. The project is part of Eastbourne Borough
Council’s £44m investment in the Devonshire Quarter programme. Other tennis improvements under the scheme include a new show court, new practice courts and increased space around outside match courts allowing players to hit the ball harder and from further off the court when returning serve and during rallies. These enhancements are underpinned by the recent installation of a modern irrigation system that ensures Eastbourne’s grass courts remain in peak condition throughout the year. The LTA has confirmed the international
tennis tournament will continue at Devonshire Park until at least 2026. “Thanks to our partnership with Eastbourne
Borough Council, we have been able to embark on this exciting and ground-breaking project in the completion of a new state of the art player facility,” said Oliver Scadgell, LTA competitions director. “This will now enable the Aegon
International Eastbourne to provide a significantly enhanced service to the best players in the world when they come to compete at the iconic Devonshire Park.” The Devonshire Quarter programme will also
transform the Congress Theatre, Winter Garden and Devonshire Park Theatre. A new Welcome Building will replace the old Congress Suite, creating conference and exhibition space and seamless access into and through the Devonshire Quarter, while new public realm will rejuvenate the experience for people circulating in and around the cultural and sporting complex.
www.kier.co.uk www.levittbernstein.co.uk
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