A Hub for Sport, Learning & Community Engagement

Community Sports Pavilion – Accrington Academy

Leisure

This new Community Sports Pavilion has been created for Accrington Academy, part of the United Learning Trust, as a key element in the Academy’s continued investment in first‑class sporting facilities. Delivered as part of a three‑year improvement programme managed by HTC, the Pavilion complements a suite of significant upgrades including a 3G all‑weather pitch, a multi‑use games area (MUGA), and a six‑lane, 25‑metre swimming pool.

The Pavilion has been designed as a multifunctional anchor point for both the Academy and the wider community. Its facilities support day‑to‑day physical education, competitive sport, and public access programmes. Internally, the building offers:

  • An indoor viewing gallery overlooking the sports pitches, allowing spectators, coaches, and teachers to observe activities in comfort and shelter.
  • A flexible function and presentation space, suitable for team briefings, award ceremonies, community meetings, and educational sessions.
  • Administrative offices for the Academy’s sports department, bringing staff closer to the activity areas they manage and support.

A dedicated reception area forms the primary interface between the school and public users, ensuring safe, managed access for community sports clubs, partner organisations, and visitors.

 

Services

  • Architectural Design Services
  • Building Regulations Principal Designer

Architectural Design & User Experience

The Pavilion’s most striking feature is its curved glass façade, which delivers unobstructed panoramic views across the sports pitches. This architectural element not only enhances the spectator experience but also reinforces a sense of openness and connection between the indoor spaces and the surrounding landscape.

This sweeping glazed frontage also frames the principal entrance to the changing facilities, creating an intuitive and welcoming arrival point. The internal layout has been carefully developed to ensure efficient circulation for players, staff, and visitors, while maintaining secure separation between school operations and public access routes.

Architectural Design & User Experience

THE RESULT

The Community Sports Pavilion at Accrington Academy delivers a modern, multi‑purpose hub that enhances the school’s wider sports campus. The building provides a high‑quality indoor viewing gallery, flexible function space, and dedicated administrative offices, while its reception area seamlessly manages interaction between the Academy and the public. Its striking curved glass façade creates a welcoming entrance and offers uninterrupted views across the sports pitches, resulting in a functional, visually engaging, and community‑focused facility that supports both school and wider public use.