University of Worcester Arena
Worcester Arena
LocationHylton Road
Worcester
WR2 5JN
OwnerUniversity of Worcester
Capacity2,000
Construction
Broke ground2012
Opened12 April 2013
Construction cost£15 million
ArchitectRoberts Limbrick
Tenants
Worcester Wolves (BBL)

The University of Worcester Arena, commonly referred to as Worcester Arena, is a multi-purpose sports venue and events arena in Worcester, England. The 2,000-seat capacity venue opened in April 2013 and is the home arena of Worcester Wolves basketball team, whilst also being a national centre of excellence for disability sports.[1]

Plans for the construction of a new sports arena were first unveiled in January 2010 after the University of Worcester had purchased land on Hylton Road used previously as a fruit and vegetable market.[2] Initial reports indicated the capacity of the new venue would seat 1,500 people, cost £10 million and would be due to open in the Spring of 2012.[3]

Willmott Dixon was appointed as the project's developer, working alongside architect Roberts Limbrick.[4][5] Construction of the sports arena started in early 2012 and was due to be completed by January 2013[6] but several delays during construction meant that the opening of arena was setback until April 2013.[7]

The University of Worcester officially announced the opening of the new sports arena on 12 April 2013, completed at a cost of £15 million.[8] The first event to be staged at the arena was the 2013 Netball Superleague Grand Final which saw Team Bath defeat Celtic Dragons 62-56. 1,509 spectators attended the inaugural event, which was heralded as a resounding success by local media.[9]

Worcester Wolves made their first official appearance at their new home on 4 October, marking the occasion with a 73–61 victory over the reigning British Basketball League champions Leicester Riders.[10]

References

  1. ↑ "University of Worcester Takes Ownership of New Multi-Million Pound Sports Arena". University of Worcester.
  2. ↑ "Sports centre plans for former market in Worcester". BBC News.
  3. ↑ "New Worcester sports arena plans unveiled". BBC News.
  4. ↑ "Worcester Arena appoints builder for April start". Stadia Magazine.
  5. ↑ "Willmott takes stage on £10m Worcester Arena". Construction Enquirer. 1 December 2010. Retrieved 14 October 2019.
  6. ↑ "New year start for £15m sports arena". Worcester News.
  7. ↑ "Worcester Wolves hit by delays to Worcester Arena". Worcester News.
  8. ↑ "University of Worcester officially handed £15m sports arena". BBC News.
  9. ↑ "Worcester Arena gets thumbs up after first big event". Worcester News.
  10. ↑ "Worcester Wolves 73–61 Leicester Riders". WorcesterWolves.org.

52°11′34″N 2°13′54″W / 52.1927°N 2.2317°W / 52.1927; -2.2317

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