The National Performance Centre for Sport (NPCS) was developed through a partnership between Heriot-Watt University, City of Edinburgh Council and Sports Scotland. They are all committed to supporting performance sport in Scotland and their joint vision was to create an inspiring and aspirational environment where athletes, coaches and support can staff feel empowered to excel within their chosen fields.
Named Oriam, the NPCS is located at Heriot-Watt University’s Riccarton Campus which is highly accessible with excellent road, rail and air links and just West of the Capital Edinburgh.
The stunning £33 million purpose-built sports facility, transforms Heriot-Watt University into the training hub for, among others, the Scottish Rugby Union and the Scottish Football Association who use it as a training facility, as do Heart of Midlothian F.C. for first-team training and to run their academy.
Oriam adds to Heriot-Watt’s well-established sports facilities which are already some of the best in the country. The new multi-purpose development supports athletes to develop their full potential and aims to be a collaborative environment to support Scotland’s up-and-coming sports men and women, their coaches and volunteers, to train and prepare for competition at the highest levels. The centre will also welcome students, staff, the local community and local sports groups.
Oriam also houses Heriot-Watt’s own Sports Union. This is the sole organisation that looks after Heriot-Watt’s student sport offering. With over 30 active sports clubs, the Sports Union and Oriam offer the ideal environment to participate in and compete in sport at higher education level.
The football hall contains a full UEFA size 3G pitch and fixed seated viewing for 499 people. The roof over the hall is covered with a lightweight coated fabric that allows in high levels of natural light and provides a particularly attractive roof form. The overall height over the centre of the pitch is 25m.
