The ground breaking of the Wellbeing & Sports Centre has taken place at Scotch College in Adelaide.

The Scotch College Wellbeing and Sports Centre has been designed by South Australian architectural firm Hames Sharley and will be the largest building project in the College’s 100-year history. It is the first component of a 30-year infrastructure masterplan spanning the College’s Mitcham and Torrens Park Campuses.

“This is a wellbeing hub that will connect and bring together students, families and the broader community – not just a building,” said Caillin Howard, Managing Director of project architects Hames Sharley. “The Centre will be accessible by two main roads, bringing the once isolated agricultural land into the centre of the school and its day to day activities, connecting both Mitcham and Torrens Park Campus students. It is designed to be regenerative rather than just reducing negative impact. This approach complements the school’s views on wellbeing and global responsibility,” he added.

The building will promote sustainability, and solar power and water capture are integral in its design. Internal and external vegetation will complement the College farm, and agricultural learnings will be integrated into food and nutrition curricula, including world food needs as global populations grow. Sustainability, energy and food production contribute to the first two pillars of the Live Well program, as well as to the program’s aspiration to educate leaders on world problem-solving and service.

The Centre is built on the site of the College’s existing swimming pool and gym complex on Blythewood Road and comprises:

• Flexible classroom and collaboration spaces that can be used for a range of physical, wellbeing and spiritual activities including meditation, yoga, mindfulness, reflection, teaching and dance;
• A collaborative workspace for pastoral care leaders;
• Modular contemporary student spaces, teacher facilities and offices;
• A café offering views across Adelaide;
• An outdoor teaching and gathering area;
• A 25-metre indoor swimming pool and separate beginners pool; and
• Two indoor multi-purpose courts.

The centre will include a suite of allied health professionals including sleep, occupational therapy and life coaching specialists whose services will be available to students and the wider community. The centre’s sports facilities will also be made available to the local community. Work is underway, with the centre due to open in the first half of 2022.