Start of construction of new University Sports Centre celebrated
On 11 July 2024, a gathering was held to celebrate the start of the construction of the new University Sports Centre (USC). Rugby players and a pole dancer from USC Leiden played a role in the celebration. A video was also shown, giving a whistle-stop tour of the new building.
Sporting kick-off
In the presence of staff of the USC, student sport clubs and many others, the start of construction of the new University Sports Centre was celebrated in sporting style. One member of USC gave a demonstration of pole dancing and then an LSRG rugby player shot a ball between the posts to officially kick off construction.
Broad range
Annette van Lookeren, head of the University Sports Centre, is delighted that the construction has finally started: ‘This modern complex is going to offer a broad range of sports facilities: from fitness and group lessons to team sports and individual training. It will be an inspiring place where our students and staff can work on their physical and mental health. We’re really looking forward to following the developments and seeing the end result.’
Healthy and sustainable
As well as being a sports centre, the building will also serve as an exam centre with more spacious exam halls than the current USC can offer. The design by BINX Smartility provides a healthy and sustainable building with good acoustics, a lot of daylight, solar panels and a connection to the thermal energy storage. The roof will have solar panels and a sloping grass roofscape.
Centrally located, with a sports café
The sports centre will be located right at the heart of the Leiden Bio Science Park, which will make it interesting for companies on the park. There will also be a sports café in the building, which will attract sports people from the university, as well as surrounding companies and residents.
Active lifestyle
Ferdy Poppelier, director of the USC foundation, is enthusiastic about the new sports centre: ‘This is an important step for the university. The sports centre will not only improve our sports facilities, but will also contribute to a healthy and active lifestyle for our students and staff. It’s going to be a valuable facility for everyone who works or lives on the Leiden Bio Science Park.’
The building, with its entrance on the Rosalind Franklinplein, is expected to be completed in early 2026.