Blackpool specialist lifts weights for city sports centre build

Ameon, the Blackpool based company working alongside main contractor, Eric Wright Construction, start of the next £3.5m phase of the contract for the Manchester Metropolitan University’s much anticipated Institute of Sport.

It signalled its arrival on site with a high-level lift of 21,000kg of specialist plant and equipment onto the city centre building’s roof, which will form the hub of the development’s services infrastructure.

In addition to specialist teaching spaces, the state-of-the-art Institute of Sport’s facilities include an MRI suite and an environmental chamber, which will require Ameon to design and install specific control and ventilation systems to provide perfect conditions for testing.

The contract will also involve installation of all water, power, heating, ventilation, and environmental control systems, together with the reinstatement of Manchester Metropolitan University’s original photo-voltaic, solar power generating array back onto the roof, alongside a series of air handling and chiller units.

This phase of the overall contract is due to run until autumn, with the building’s completion planned for early 2022.

Ameon contract director, Rod Bunce, said: “To be able to play our part in the development of what will be a class-leading educational facility is great for our business, and testament to our capabilities and the range of specialist services we provide.

“I think Manchester will be justifiably proud of this impressive development when it opens its doors in early 2022.”

The Institute of Sport build is one of a number of high-profile commercial and residential projects in Manchester employing the specialist services of Ameon, which passed a major milestone recently, with the completion of its 10,000th residential apartment in the city, in a little over five years.

The firm has opened an office in the city to complement its Blackpool headquarters.