ABSTRACT
This chapter is about providing facilities for different sports within a single building or complex. In the UK the pioneering project was the National Recreation Centre at Crystal Palace, Sydenham Hill, South London. This is a campus-type, greenfield development incorporating athletics stadium, sports hall and athletes’ hostel tower. The 63m × 63m × 19m (207ft × 207ft × 62ft) high multi-functional sports hall, designed 1953-59 and built 196064, accommodates swimming pools and dry sports. Swimming facilities include a 50m racing pool, diving pool with springboards and 5m, 7.5m and 10m platforms, 18.28m (60ft) teaching pool and 25m training pool. Sports facilities include squash, basketball, korfball, five-a-side and eleven-a-side football, volleyball, trampoline, karate, aerobics, weight training, netball, hockey, tennis, badminton, skiing, gymnastics and a climbing wall. Today Crystal Palace is one of six national centres operated for Sport England. It hosts Grand Prix Athletics every summer and other activities, training sessions and national and regional events throughout the year.
