Laing O’Rourke is to build a pioneering sports health and science research facility in Manchester, to be named the Manchester Institute of Health and Performance. The facility will be based at Manchester City’s Etihad Campus, next to its new City Football Academy.
The scheme – designed by architects AHR - form part of the Beswick Community Hub, a plan to regenerate the east Manchester area to increase economic, sporting and educational opportunities in the area. As part of this plan, a new leisure centre will be constructed as well as a sixth form college.
Once completed, it is anticipated that the new centre will attract world leading clinical research partners and provide an environment for local, national and international specialists to investigate and integrate research evidence into cutting edge applied support and health improvement requirements for athletes and the general population. This will place Manchester as a leading nucleus for sport in the UK.
Preparatory works are currently underway. Contractor PP O’Connor is carrying out groundworks with Laing O’Rourke owned Expanded providing specialist piling works.
Councillor Jeff Smith, an executive member for housing and regeneration at Manchester City Council, said: “The Beswick Community Hub will become an incredible resource for both the local community and city’s elite sports men and women.
"The Manchester Institute for Health and Performance is the next phase of these ambitious plans that will take east Manchester from being not only a world renowned centre for sport and leisure, but also a world leader in sport and health science and research.
"Once established, we hope that MIHP will attract world leading clinical and research groupps to the city.”
The facility has a scheduled completion date in early 2016.
