The Scott Brownrigg-designed New City Fitness: Epping Forest Wellness Centre in Loughton officially opened its doors to New City College students and the local community on Saturday 20 January. Located opposite New City College’s Epping Forest campus, the 1,730 sq m new-build facility incorporates state-of-the-art facilities for sport, fitness and wellbeing, and acts a gateway to a new residential development and public park. 

Designed in close collaboration with college stakeholders, the residential developer, local planning authority and community, the compact design incorporates a multi-use sports hall with spectator seating to Basketball England ‘Premier Level’ U-18 requirements, a fully equipped gym, fitness studio, treatment room, changing facilities and café. Promoting physical activity and wellbeing by revealing sports facilities to passers-by, and through provision of inclusive social spaces connected to the new park. 

Over 200 visitors were in attendance on Saturday as Ledley King of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club officially opened the new £7m building which was delivered by Neilcott Construction. Now operational, Epping Forest Wellness Centre will support New City Fitness in providing affordable, welcoming, and accessible sport and fitness facilities for the local community, and will provide sports and fitness students with the opportunity to work and train in a professional industry environment. 

Narzny Khan, Principal of New City College’s Epping Forest campus, addressed the guests and said:

“The building brings together state of the art design and materials, and has been celebrated in several architectural and respected trade publications for which we would like to offer a massive thank you to architects Scott Brownrigg and main contractors Neilcott. This brilliant, efficient design that contributes to the college’s journey to net zero also promotes physical activity and wellbeing – supporting two of the college’s important strategic objectives.” 

Ian Pratt, Director and Head of Education said:

“It’s incredibly rewarding to see the Epping Forest Wellness Centre in use and wonderful to hear how our design is helping attract students and members of the wider community. Designing the Epping Forest Wellness Centre with New City College stakeholders was a pleasure and I’m delighted that together with the wider project team, we were able to achieve such a high quality, environmentally sustainable outcome.”