esseX ColleGe
bloWn aWay by
hammers openinG
neW dome
Students at an Essex specialist science
and sports college were 'blowing bubbles'
when their new artificial sports pitch and
air dome was opened recently by stars
from Premiership football team West Ham
United.
Hammers manager Sam Allardyce,
debutant Reece Burke and vice captain
and longest serving current player Mark
Noble opened The Dome at Great Baddow
High School in Chelmsford.
The development was made possible
by funding from Sport England’s
Inspired Facilities scheme, which funds
the renovation and modernisation of
grassroots sports facilities.
ETC Sports Surfaces collaborated with
long term sports fencing partner Zaun and
sports pitch design consultants Surfacing
Standards Ltd to put in the new double
48 Landscape & Urban Design Issue 14
an opportunity for youngsters of all ages
to enjoy team sports. When you've got
a facility as good as this and when you
enjoy that facility, then the boys and girls
don't realise the physical demands they
are putting on themselves, because they're
enjoying it. That’s the key thing for me.
skinned air dome, which houses two 43m x
33m five-a-side football pitches and is 9m
high at its highest point, surrounded by
Duo Sports fencing.
'Whether it’s football, rugby or tennis,
physical education is so important for the
whole life experience as you grow up. This
a fantastic facility and I’m sure the students
will respect it and make tremendous use
of it. Hopefully, one day, we’ll have a Great
Baddow High School pupil running out for
West Ham at the new stadium.'
West Ham development coaches led
training sessions and ran a tournament
for local primary schools at the launch
event. Both Noble and Burke, who
made his Premier League debut just four
days earlier, joined the training and a
question and answer session and signed
autographs.
Headteacher Carrie Lynch said: 'It was
brilliant to have Mr Allardyce and both
members of West Ham United Football
Club and the West Ham United Foundation
at the launch of the air dome, supporting
our commitment to promoting healthy
lifestyles and all year round sports
participation for our students.'
'Big Sam' presented St Michael's School
with the five-a-side tournament winners'
trophy then spoke passionately about the
benefits The Dome offered students and
budding sports stars.
The Dome is connected to the ground with
over 100 anchors installed at 1.5 metre
intervals. It includes a diesel fired heating
system and hanging LED floodlights, while
the translucent membrane allows daytime
use without lighting.
He said: 'It was important for me to be here
to encourage as many schools as possible
to build a facility of this quality, to give
www.zaun.co.uk