Exploration into feasibility redevelopment Sport

The Utrecht Science Park (USP) wants to continue to develop strongly into a lively area for learning, working, caring and living—a place for meeting, inspiration and knowledge exchange. The Olympos sports complex, traditionally present in the USP, plays an important role in this. Exercising and meeting each other contributes to the health and healthy lifestyle of students and staff. Some 15,000 athletes play sports at Olympos every year, a third of whom are members of one of the twenty student sports associations.

Research into renewal

The sports complex is due for renewal in a few years. There is also a need to expand the sports fields because the current availability does not meet the growing demand. Utrecht University wants to be able to continue facilitating sports in the future. Therefore, in 2023, a study was launched to determine where the sports complex at the Utrecht Science Park could be renewed and possibly expanded. Based on the results of this study, the Executive Board decided in May 2023 to focus on renewal and possible expansion at and around the current location. The Corporate Real Estate & Campus was commissioned to further develop the plans for renewal.

Schedule of requirements

Research is being carried out into the future schedule of requirements for the sports complex and the financial feasibility of the plans. The programme of requirements is a written collection of requirements and wishes. The purpose of that programme is to define preconditions and limits in advance.

This is done in consultation with stakeholders and involved parties, such as Stichting Mesa Cosa and the Sportraad Utrecht. It also looks at the additional space needed and how this space demand fits within the plans for the USP. The Executive Board is expected to decide in spring 2024 on the investment space needed to renew the sports complex.