Already aware of the benefits of tensile structures
and on recommendations from SportScotland,
members of the trust visited the new tensile
training facility at Invercylde. They had also heard,
through the island grapevine, that Back FC on the
Isle of Lewis had recently installed a new indoor
training facility, and so found it very worthwhile
to speak with fellow islanders about their
experiences. Both facilities had been designed and
built by sports facility specialist, Collinson.
Internally comprising a 3G pitch, providing training
facilities for football and rugby, the space can
also be sectioned off with divisional nets to allow
several groups to play or train simultaneously. The
versatility and size of the facility has also allowed
Clickimin Leisure Centre to host a wide variety
of other sports in the facility such as club golf,
ultimate Frisbee, athletics and softball, to name
but a few! The facility also incorporates changing
facilities, a viewing gallery, and reception area,
allowing competitions to be effortlessly hosted.
From thereon in a conventional build was
dismissed. The SRT had their sights firmly set
on a tensile facility, confident that this type of
structure would buy them so much more for their
money. Also, it was ideal for providing perfect
playing conditions for indoor football and rugby.
In line with council procedures, the job was
put out to tender and, based on a price and
quality matrix, Lancashire-based Collinson were
appointed the main contractors for the project
with their Challenger™ tensile facility.
Now, it was time to really get the ball rolling. The
project kicked off with a visit to Lancashire to
meet the team of in-house designers, engineers,
and surveyors, and start designing the new 60/40
Challenger™ indoor sports facility.
Challenger™ comprises a steel superstructure
covered with a heavy duty architectural
membrane. Daylight permeates the facility
through this membrane, creating a naturally light,
bright environment for sport and removing the
need for artificial lighting during the day. This
reduces running costs, an attractive proposal for
SRT as Shetland enjoys daylight until midnight
during the summer months.
Every building undergoes structural calculations
based on the wind and snow loadings for its
proposed location. For the Clickimin facility, a
heavy-duty fabric was specified to ensure the
building would withstand the extreme weather
conditions on the island.
Despite the challenging conditions, the Collinson
installation team were onsite come rain or
shine. The build went extremely smoothly and
construction of the expansive 60/40 indoor
football facility was completed to create an
additional 2925m 2 space.
“
The success of the new facility
has attracted the interest of all
the sports teams on the Island.
After only opening 3 months ago
every sports team on the island
has used the new facility, with
some travelling up to an hour
each way to train in the excellent
facilities.
Coaches, parents and children
alike are finding it fantastic
environment to work and train in
David Wagstaffe
Shetland Recreational Trust
”
T: 01995 606 451
collinson.co.uk
Construction_Clickimin_CS_Rev01