Wasps EPIC

Refurbishment of existing leisure facility for Premiership Rugby club Wasps

A 13-acre site along the Stratford Road in Henley-in-Arden was acquired by Wasps Rugby from Warwickshire College Group in 2019, after selecting it as the location for their new state-of-the-art training facility.

Previously the club had been based at Broadstreet Rugby Club following their move to Coventry, but the site in rural Warwickshire provided an ideal setting to create a facility befitting of a top Premiership Rugby team.

The Wigley Group was appointed as the development partner for the ambitious project and tasked with transforming a tired sports centre into an Elite Performance and Innovation Centre fit for the men’s first team and academy players.

Works to convert the existing building began in March 2021 and included repairs to the existing roof, walls and underground waterproofing, installation of mezzanine offices, a complete fit out, and hard and soft landscaping.

Other work included the creation of a purpose-built gym, changing rooms, two large hydrotherapy pools and a sauna, the construction of a media centre, medical complex, offices for coaching and administration staff, and restaurant facilities.

A grass pitch and all-weather 3G plus surface pitch was also created, with low-energy LED lighting fitted across both pitches as well as the car park to make the facility as eco-friendly as possible.

The six-month project led to investment of around £4 million and now provides Wasps with one of the finest training complexes in English rugby – and their first permanent training ground of their own since leaving Sudbury in 1999.

Further projects are also planned with Wasps after The Wigley Group signed a corporate partnership in June 2021 to become their preferred development partner.