Construction has begun on the new £3.8m sports hall at Sportspark, the swimming and sports centre based at the University of East Anglia (UEA) in Norwich.

The new building – to be built in addition to the existing three-hall Barclays arena – will feature eight badminton courts, four basketball courts and four volleyball courts, as well as two lecture rooms for use by UEA, which is funding the project.

The hall, designed by R H Partnership Architects, will boast a sprung wooden floor, fluorescent lighting, tinted block work and electronic scoring.

Sportspark is hoping to establish a model for the development of basketball and volleyball in the UK, as they appeal to both genders and a variety of age groups.

Keith Nicholls, director of physical education and sport at Sportspark, said: “The development of this indoor arena is a fantastic coup for the region, particularly as it is one of the first development models of its kind to be piloted in the country.”

The Sportspark facility is open to community sports users, local teams and students.

Work is expected to be completed in February 2009.

Picture courtesy of R H Partnership Architects