• Client: Joseph Chamberlain College
  • Project: 3G MUGA pitch, associated 125 space car park & welfare/changing room facility
  • Location: Birmingham
  • Value: £1.65 million
  • Sector: Sports
  • Form of Contract: Design & Build
  • Service: Principal Contractor

Joseph Chamberlain College – Multi Use Games Area (MUGA)

Highlighting our excellence in sports construction, our work with Joseph Chamberlain College gave old brownfield land a new purpose, with the construction of a 3G Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) pitch, car park, and onsite facilities.

Recognised as Ofsted ‘Outstanding’, Joseph Chamberlain College is a leading the education of thousands of students in the Birmingham and Solihull area. Once home to British Car Auctions, the College’s brownfield purchase marked the next phase in its wider development plans, highlighting its commitment to supporting students and staff alike through the implementation of excellent new facilities.

O’Brien Contractors was brought in to deliver a full design and build project. As experts in sports construction backed by 65 years of experience, our team of professionals had the right knowledge and skills to support the college’s sports facility project.

Intended to be predominantly used for five-a-side football, the 1,419m² MUGA was built in compliance with FIFA Quality Control testing requirements, with the pitch featuring integrated markings, and a Domo Duraforce XSL 50-14 carpet. The carpet was built with a sand stabilising layer which features an SBR performance infill, comprised of 15kg/m² of 0.8-2.5mm SBR and 12kg/m² of 0.315-0.8mm sand. Not only did this remove the need for a shock pad but fell in line with our quality product commitment.

To ensure the pitch drains correctly, the dynamic foundation layer consists of a 300mm deep, free draining type 3 sub-base, designed to allow water to be discharged through a perforated drainage system.

To ensure that the pitch is accessible year-round, the facilities are illuminated to an average of 150-lux for night-time use, maximising potential use and possible commercial benefits.

Minimising the ecological and environmental impact on wildlife, whilst providing all-important light to the area, the pitch was fitted with warm white 3000k colour temperature LED lamps on six-metre-high columns.

The Multi Use Games Area pitch was supported by a welfare and storage facility providing changing rooms and toilets along with storage space for equipment.

The 125-space controlled and illuminated car park provided college staff with secure and accessible parking to the main campus.

See our video, of the newly redeveloped site at Joseph Chamberlain College, Birmingham.

View our other MUGA pitch works here.