Morningside Arena set in the heart of Leicester is a fantastic venue that is not only the largest, but the most flexible and diverse venue in the city. Real thought for the local community emanates through its ethos and HSSP Architects are very proud to be involved with the next stage of its development.

The arena is a multipurpose community sport and events facility with seating capacity for up to 3,000 people. It stages regional, national and international sports events in basketball, netball, judo, karate, boxing, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby and other sports, and also hosts entertainment events, conferences, business meetings and exhibitions.

The arena runs on a not-for-profit basis. The hosting of these large events not only brings people to the city, but the revenue received enables substantial subsidies to be applied to fees for users of the arena from local deprived areas, or to provide community outreach facilities in those areas, to encourage people to take part in sport and recreational activities.

It is home to Leicester Riders Basketball Club, and is host of their games and their underage basketball programme which inspires the next generation of superstars to shine. The nationally registered charity, Leicester Riders Foundation, also run their community activities at the arena.

We are delighted that planning permission has been granted for a large new events hall which will maximise the flexibility for the use of the arena. Two additional basketball courts within the new events hall will also mean the arena will become the largest facility in the UK for indoor basketball courts and will no doubt become renowned as a centre of basketball excellence.

Externally a new events plaza will be formed, with two additional basketball courts added to the multipurpose space. The car parking will be relocated. The number and type of organisations that will be attracted to host their national and international events will naturally rise with this wonderful new flexible space.

The net result will secure the sustainability of the arena through increased revenue which will allow more reinvestment into the arena itself and to ensure the ongoing viability of their community focused programmes. It will also bring further employment to the local area and benefit the wider community.

We are very excited to see the progression of the project. If you are on the committee of a community focused project and would like to speak to an architect who understands your underlying principles, with the knowledge and experience to realise your vision, why not give us a call?

By HSSP Architects