The Academy of Light is the name of the UEFA five star certified training facilities and youth academy for Premier League side Sunderland AFC. Opened in 2003 the state-of-the-art training facilities are situated in Cleadon, just north of Sunderland.

Tolent Construction Ltd was comissioned to to construct a new indoor training area to provide top class facilities all year round.

Solution

The new facility consists of external steel roof support columns with a canopy that covers the pitch. Phi Group was appointed to design, supply and install free-standing gabion walls which would provide protection from the elements around the perimeter of the pitch. Openings at six points through the gabion walls were also required to provide access for players and service vehicles.

Gabion baskets with 5mm diameter steel mesh panels were used to provide a rigid face, whilst steel support columns were incorporated within the gabion structure to ensure the gabion walls remain vertical. Phi Group also undertook the design of these steel supports and base plates.

Construction

During a construction period of six weeks Phi Group constructed 1050m2 of gabion walling overall. Firstly, a concrete foundation was installed, upon which the base plates and additional steel columns, designed by Phi Group, were erected along the centre line of the foundation.

Bespoke mesh panels were used to construct the gabions on-site, as the vertical joints had to be aligned with the external steel roof support columns which standard size gabions would not accommodate. Gabion stone was hand-placed to the front face to ensure a top quality finish.

Benefit

Phi Group’s design expertise and construction experience came together to provide a high quality structure that met the rigorous demands of Sunderland AFC. Both current and future players for the club will be able to use the indoor training facility for years to come.