The timber frame changing facilities at the new Centre for Outdoor Sports at Burgess Hill has been designed and built by modular construction specialist TG Escapes. It features four Sport England compliant changing rooms, officials’ changing facilities, kit stores, accessible WC’s and a reception area.
The development, named The Arc, is a key element of the community facilities being developed by Homes England within Brookleigh at Burgess Hill. The new Centre for Outdoor Sports has been delivered by Mid Sussex District Council and their development partner Alliance Leisure, procured via the UK Leisure Framework (managed by Denbighshire Leisure). The wider project team also included The Sports Consultancy, AtkinsRealis, Hadron Consulting, S&C Slatters and White Horse Contracting.
The Arc, managed by Places Leisure, brings a range of first-class sporting facilities to the heart of Burgess Hill, while also serving communities and clubs across Mid Sussex. The facilities include:
• A floodlit artificial football pitch
• A floodlit artificial rugby pitch
• A modern changing facility
• Three junior natural turf football pitches
• A full-sized natural turf football pitch
• An artificial cricket wicket with a turf outfield
• Car park, landscaping and play area.
The design of the facility has been refined over three years through extensive community engagement, consultation and data analysis, and has been purpose-built to complement the district’s existing sports infrastructure.
Leader of the Council, Councillor Robert Eggleston, said: “The Arc is a fantastic addition to Burgess Hill and a testament to what can be achieved through strong partnerships and a commitment to community development. The new sporting facility has been designed by the local community for the local community, ensuring it becomes a valued and integral part of local life. We’re excited to see it become a hub for sport, health, wellbeing and connection.”
Located on an 8.6-hectare site, The Arc is part of the Brookleigh development, providing 3,500 homes (30% affordable), public spaces, infrastructure and community facilities.
The Centre for Outdoor Sports has been funded in part through developer contributions (Section 106), ensuring that the new community centre is directly supported by local development, building meaningful connections with the community and a sense of shared ownership from the very beginning.
Designed with a focus on sustainability, the carefully planned site has been built to the highest environmental standards and developed to complement the local environment. The changing facilities use modern construction methods, a timber frame system and eco-friendly materials, creating a warm, inviting space that integrates with the natural surroundings. Key sustainable pavilion design features include:
• Timber frame modular construction, reducing embodied carbon and
enabling full recyclability.
• High performance insulation and natural ventilation to reduce energy demand.
• Solar PV and air source heat pumps, providing renewable energy for heating and lighting.
• Natural finishes and biophilic detailing, connecting the building to its green surroundings.
• Low maintenance materials, extending the building’s lifespan while minimising future resource use.
TG Escapes’ bespoke, architect-designed system provides timber frame buildings to suit most locations and uses, in a variety of finishes, including timber for a natural effect. Offsite construction minimises disruption, cost and risk.
Lease funding is available through their finance partner which means that buildings can procured with no initial capital outlay, moving the cost from CapEx to OpEx. www.tgescapes.co.uk