A NORTH-EAST university is planning a significant expansion of its sporting facilities and a new teaching centre to enable it to host major academic conferences.

Durham University has announced plans to expand its sport facilities at Maiden Castle, off the A177, and build a new centre on St Mary’s field, opposite its science site at Lower Mountjoy, off South Road.

Jane Robinson, chief operating officer at Durham University, said: “These are priority investments for the university which will have a major impact on university life and our international reputation as well as providing great opportunities for engagement with local residents in Durham.

“The planned work at Maiden Castle Sports Park, which is currently used by over 2,000 local residents, staff and students each week, will see an increase in and improvement to the facilities which will also be open to the general public.

“The proposed new teaching and learning centre at Lower Mountjoy will allow the university to host major academic conferences, which will in turn bring more international visitors to the city.”

New facilities at Maiden Castle will include a new sports hall in front of the existing facility, which would have seating for 2,000 spectators, an indoor tennis and squash centre, and a cricket centre and pavilion with a competition size indoor pitch and five full length nets.

There are also plans for extra rubber crumb pitches, new water-based hockey pitches with bleacher seating for up to 150 spectators, a new gym and strength and conditioning suite, sports science laboratories and performance analysis studios.

Other possible new facilities include a climbing wall, martial arts Dojo, boxing suite and beach volleyball courts.

The developments are part of the university’s wider estates masterplan, which includes redeveloping Elvet Riverside in New Elvet, building a new teaching hub on the site of the city’s former swimming baths by the Racecourse and building new college accommodation at Mount Oswald, Green Lane, Howlands Farm and Leazes Road.

The university is inviting people to give their views on the plans at a public exhibition, taking place between 12pm and 7pm on Thursday, March 16 at the Palatine Centre, in Stockton Road.