Bangor International December 2014
Sir David Brailsford opens Sports Centre named in his honour Sir David is the General Manager of Team Sky cycling team which competes in the top cycling events worldwide including the Tour de France and was previously performance director of British Cycling at the time of the London 2012 Olympics. Sir David Brailsford who grew up on the outskirts of Bangor, visited Bangor University in November to officially open ‘Canolfan Brailsford’, the newly refurbished Bangor University Sports Centre renamed in the successful cycling manager’s honour. The Sport Centre, which reopened in advance of the new academic year, following an investment of £2.5 million, has been well received by students and public alike, following the year-long remodelling project. The facilities now include a brand new two-storey gym, a new aerobics studio, a new sports café and the complete replacement and upgrade of the public changing rooms and showers, and a new floor in the main sports hall. This is part of a wider investment in sports facilities at Bangor University which includes the new £5 million indoor tennis and netball facility attached to Canolfan Brailsford and a third-generation artificial pitch at Bangor City FC’s ground at Nantporth, now home to both University student teams and a host of community clubs. A highlight of the event, for the student cycling club, was a q&a session for some of the University’s student athletes who had an opportunity to question Sir David
Sir David Brailsford and Bangor University’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. John G Hughes
Brailsford and pick up some useful training tips for their members! On his visit to Canolfan Brailsford, Sir David, said:
“I’ve been to a lot of gyms around the world, and there’s a fantastic feeling in there, a real energy and buzz to it, the facilities were fantastic and that’s the acid test. To see the way in which the facility has been developed, which has amalgamated old and new elements, is quite a feat of architecture and clever engineering because it feels like a homogenous sports centre, you wouldn’t know that there are older parts. It feels modern, the staff are very friendly and welcoming and it’s remarkably clean and that makes a big difference.”
In this issue of our newsletter... u
Culture Challenge 2014
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Memorandum of Understanding
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Research News www.bangor.ac.uk/international