Telford College of Arts & Technology


Location:	Telford, Shropshire, UK

Building Series:	TITAN® Low Slope

Building Size:	140' wide x 200' long (42.6m x 61m)

Application:	Rugby/Football Training Facility

The Need

Telford College of Arts & Technology located in Shropshire, UK is home to over 16,000 students. In 2003, Telford College launched the Sports Academy making Telford a recognizable player in the sport industry. The Academy has since grown and become very successful.

To maintain and increase the competitive edge, Telford College started to research indoor facilities to accommodate year-round training. Frustration was often the result when inclement weather prevented training time for coaches and students alike.

The Solution

Summit Structures was identified as a potential supplier of steel-frame, tension-membrane facilities by Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. The Wolves purchased a 42.6m wide (140') x 61m long (200') facility in 2002 from Summit Structures. Staff members from Telford College visited their facility and were very impressed with the innovative design. It became clear to the college that a Summit Structures building was the perfect solution.

"This type of structure was the only one that would meet our needs, within budget. Of the four tenders received, Summit Structures was competitive and the College had seen examples of their work elsewhere," says Terry Smith, Deputy Principal for Telford College of Arts & Technology.

The Project

The facility was officially opened by Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal, in October 2005. Measuring 42m wide (138') x 61m long (200'), three-quarters the size of a normal pitch, the indoor facility offers three pitch configurations:

Full Size: 131' wide x 197' long (40m x 60m)

Half Dome: 98' wide x 131' long (30m x 40m)

Quarter Dome: 66' wide x 98' long (20m x 30m)

The indoor pitch supports and provides first-class playing and year-round training opportunities for field sports. The Summit Structures building has full lighting, air conditioning and the latest artificial grass technology. The translucent fabric-membrane allows natural sunlight inside the building creating a truly unique, comfortable playing atmosphere. The state-of-the-art multi-sport facility stands comparison with some of the best in the country.

The Details

The "Super Dome" is used by students at Telford College in the daytime and is available for use by the public in the evenings and on weekends. Futsal and Nine-a-Side leagues are also organized through the new facility. Leagues are professionally supervised and managed in a safe environment free of inclement weather. AFC Telford United and Shrewsbury Town F.C. have also benefited from the training opportunities when weather is an obstacle.

"The facility is available to all members of the college population who are both impressed and pleased to have such a facility available. The facility has proved to be an excellent resource to the college and has become a 'landmark sports facility' for Telford," says Mr. Smith. The facility is also available for rent for parties and events for a reasonable fee with full parking, a loading bay and catering facilities.

Customer Feedback

"Summit Structures completed the fantastic 'Super Dome' for the college. Summit provided the full package - from a green field site to the building - resulting in a premier indoor training facility. The 'Dome' enables the college to coach rugby and football teams undercover to the highest standards in all weather conditions in a safe sporting environment. Similarly, the Dome allows fitness and running training for athletes from all sports to take place in every month of the year," says Mr. Smith. "The outstanding facility is also used by Telford United AFC, Shrewsbury Town FC, partner organizations and local schools. The 'Dome' was completed within budget and on time."