INSTITUTE COMMUNITY SPORTS AND WELLBEING HUB

It has been an incredible journey to work alongside Institute FC, especially following the devastating flood that forced them out of their cherished stadium in Drumahoe, a place with so many memories attached.

The new Community Sports and Wellbeing Hub encompasses the development of a MUGA 4G playing surface, lighting, four cricket wickets with netting, and associated infrastructure works. The stand will have a total spectator capacity of 2,097. The design pays homage to the history of the Club's former home at the Riverside Stadium by thoughtfully repurposing salvaged materials from the original grounds. This approach is rooted in economic, environmental, and sentimental considerations, ensuring that a piece of the Club's legacy lives on in the new structure.

Utilising high-quality materials accompanied by modern and open design highlights the intentionality behind creating more than just a football stand. The low-rise stand blends harmoniously with the surrounding area, drawing inspiration from the local vernacular in scale and material. The main stand faces towards the piazza and serves as the centrepiece of the site at the heart of the Waterside area, extending beyond its role as a stadium to become a vibrant community space. The overhanging structure embraces the public piazza, fostering an inviting external area set to become a key meeting point. This design integrates seamlessly with the adjacent DCSDC greenway project, further enhancing the connectivity and vibrancy of the Waterside.