Representatives of the school and the college gathered to cut the first sod of soil, commencing work that will transform the existing facilities at Long Road.
The ambitious development project, delivered by SIS Pitches, will provide two new 3G pitches, three netball and tennis courts, an athletics track and field facilities, plus a new pavilion with a kitchen and changing rooms. Alongside exceptional new rowing facilities on the River Cam for St Mary’s oarswomen, Long Road will greatly enhance opportunities for students to discover, experience and excel in a wide range of sport, delivering St Mary’s commitment to encourage sport for all, and enabling Homerton to boast among the best sports facilities in the University.
As well as benefiting St Mary’s girls and students of Homerton College, the new Long Road facilities will also be accessed by members of the wider community, as part of Cambridgeshire County Council’s Health and Well-being strategy.
Working with Ingleton Wood Martindales Ltd., the Long Road scheme has been designed to minimise its environmental impact and the site’s overall carbon footprint. Measures include:
- Installation of solar panels
- Energy efficient lighting and floodlights
- Protection of key wildlife corridors – particularly important for bats
- Planting additional trees in the space
- Dedicated conservation areas for enhanced outdoor learning
- Anti-flood provision in the drainage scheme
With work now underway by SIS Pitches, the UK’s largest one-stop shop for synthetic pitches, it is anticipated that students will be able to enjoy the enhanced facilities from September 2020.
The student experience at Cambridge includes the opportunity to compete in extra-curricular activity at very high levels, and this has to include sport.
Our agreement with St Mary’s over shared sports facilities means that Homerton will soon have the best such facilities in collegiate Cambridge. These things are not just for the champions, but for the students unwinding at the weekend who want to kick a ball about, or go for a run
Professor Geoff Ward, Principal of Homerton College, University of Cambridge
Cutting the turf was a great opportunity to celebrate the culmination of working in partnership with Homerton College to reach this critical point. Long Road will greatly enhance sporting opportunities for St Mary’s girls and I look forward to returning to the ‘turf’ to see our aspiring sportswomen in action
Charlotte Avery, Head of St Mary’s School
SIS Pitches were delighted to be appointed to undertake the sports facility improvement works at Long Road, Cambridge on behalf of St Mary’s School and Homerton College.
The works involve the construction of full size hockey and football/rugby artificial grass pitches, as well as athletics facilities and natural pitch works which will completely transform the Long Road site into a hub of sporting excellence.
The appeal of the project was clear from the outset, with the opportunity to provide world class sports facilities to students along with the commitment of SIS Pitches to reduce our Carbon Footprint during the facility construction which aligns closely the intended environmental legacy from this project
Joe Shaw, Sales Manager, SIS Pitches
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