The Alan Higgs Centre

{{Infobox building

| name = The Alan Higgs Centre, Coventry

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| image = Alan higgs centre2 27s07.JPG

| image_alt = The Alan Higgs Centre

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| caption = The main building of the Alan Higgs Centre

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| building_type = Leisure centre

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| owner = Alan Higgs Centre Trust

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| location =

| address = Allard Way

| location_town = Coventry

| location_country = England

| coordinates = {{Coord|52.39239|-1.47122|region:GB-COV_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}

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| completion_date = 2004

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| architect = RHWL

| website = https://cvlife.co.uk/centres/the-alan-higgs-centre/

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The Alan Higgs Centre is a leisure centre situated in about {{convert|80|acre|ha}} grounds near to the River Sowe, on Allard Way in the south-east of Coventry, England.{{cite web

|title = The Alan Higgs Centre

|publisher = Coventry Sports Foundation

|url = http://www.covsf.com/ahcContent.html

|accessdate = 20 October 2007

|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20071009220220/http://www.covsf.com/ahcContent.html |archivedate = 9 October 2007}}{{cite web

|title = Sweet skatepark news for Coventry

|publisher = BBC

|url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/coventry/features/teens/skate/allard-way-site.shtml

|accessdate = 20 October 2007

}}

History

File:Alan higgs centre floodlights 17o07.JPG

The building was funded by the Alan Higgs Charity. It was designed by RHWL architects,{{cite web

|title = The Alan Higgs Centre

|publisher = RHWL architects

|url = http://www.rhwl.co.uk/project_111.aspx

|accessdate = 20 October 2007

|url-status = dead

|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080105081735/http://www.rhwl.co.uk/project_111.aspx

|archivedate = 5 January 2008

|df = dmy-all

}} built by Galliford Try at a cost of about £8 million, and was opened in September 2004.{{cite web|title=Leisure Latest Projects: Alan Higgs Centre |publisher=Galliford Try plc |url=http://www.gallifordtry.plc.uk/data/UserContentRoot/Home/Building/Leisure/Latest%20Projects%5Cproject_detail29.asp |accessdate=20 October 2007 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060930072636/http://www.gallifordtry.plc.uk/data/UserContentRoot/Home/Building/Leisure/Latest%20Projects/project_detail29.asp |archivedate=30 September 2006 }}

The judo and volleyball competitions of the 2007 UK School Games were held in The Alan Higgs Centre, being one of the venues for the games which were held in the Coventry from 23 to 26 August 2007.{{cite web

|title = UK school games: Coventry 2007

|publisher = UK school games

|url = http://ukschoolgames.com/coventry/venues.php

|accessdate = 20 October 2007

|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070913011244/http://www.ukschoolgames.com/coventry/venues.php |archivedate = 13 September 2007}} In August 2013, non-league football team Coventry United announced that The Alan Higgs Centre would be their new home ground. On 12 February 2019, a new dome opened. In February 2020 a new Olympic-sized swimming pool at the Alan Higgs Centre opened, replacing the one at the defunct Coventry Sports & Leisure Centre.{{cite web |last1=Hunt |first1=Will |title=50m pool at the Alan Higgs Centre now open |url=https://www.coventry.gov.uk/news/article/3226/50m_pool_at_the_alan_higgs_centre_now_open |website=www.coventry.gov.uk |access-date=23 February 2021 |language=en}}{{cite web |title=End of an era as Coventry baths opens for final swim on February 15 |url=https://coventryobserver.co.uk/news/end-of-an-era-as-coventry-baths-opens-for-final-swim-on-february-15/ |website=Coventry Observer |access-date=23 February 2021 |language=en}} The new pool facilities include a hot tub, a sauna, and seating for 500 people.{{cite web |last1=|first1= |title=Alan Higgs Centre |url=https://www.ftleisure.co.uk/our-projects/alan-higgs-centre/ |website=FT Leisure |access-date=23 February 2021 |language=en}}

Facilities

The Coventry City Football Club's Academy is based at The Alan Higgs Centre. There are four outdoor grass football pitches, a synthetic indoor pitch, and a synthetic floodlit outdoor pitch. It is also a venue for county netball games, and there is a skateboard area.

References

Category:Sports venues in Coventry

Category:Sports venues completed in 2004