THE Chellaram Sports Complex at Clifton College Sports Ground has been shortlisted for a top environmental award.
As the Voice went to print, the college was waiting to hear if it had won the Decarbonisation/Green Project of the year at the Education Property Awards 2025.
The sports complex, which opened last year, is one of the largest indoor school sports facilities in the South West. As well as supporting a range of sports at Clifton College, including netball, hockey, cricket, bouldering and basketball, it is also open to the local community for both regular and one-off bookings.
It is used by from schools, amateur and professional teams, and community groups. Notable users include Gloucestershire Cricket, the University of Bristol, Clifton Robinsons Hockey, and Premier Romans Netball Club. The facility also works closely with Bristol’s Community of Purpose, supporting disadvantaged young people.
Dr Tim Greene, Head of Clifton College, said: “I’m delighted that the Chellaram Sports Complex is a finalist in the Decarbonisation/Green Project of the Year award. The Chellaram Sports Complex is a wonderful facility for the College and the wider community. I know all those who are now benefiting from this project and such a superb new facility will want to join me in expressing our gratitude to Alec French Architects, Speller Metcalfe, and the Chellaram Foundation for making it possible.”
The centre has air source heat pumps that absorb heat from the environment and thermal battery technology to store energy for later reuse. The facility also features passive ventilation to regulate airflow and temperature within the sports hall, contributing to significant energy savings.
Inside the complex, energy-efficient LED lighting and ventilation systems further reduce the building’s carbon footprint, alongside heat pumps that limit the need for fossil fuels in climate control. These sustainable features are expected to delivery long-term cost savings in both energy demand and maintenance.
The development team focused on reducing waste and reusing materials. For example, excavated stone was repurposed, and excess was used to reclad an existing building. Further waste timber was donated to the Community Wood Recycling Scheme.
Biodiversity was a key consideration, with a wildflower biodiverse roof, native woodland planting, hedgerows, and a wildflower meadow incorporated into the design.
Joy Stone, associate director at Alec French Architects, who specialises in designing school buildings, said: “We are thrilled that the Chellaram Sports Complex has been shortlisted for this prestigious national property award. This flagship development allows Clifton College to reduce its dependence on the national grid while transforming the range of sport it can deliver within one carefully designed space.”