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Topping Out ceremony celebrates progress on St Swithun’s new indoor sports facility |
St Swithun's recently marked the 'topping out' of our new Building Active Lives development, which will provide outstanding sports facilities for the school and the wider Winchester community. The event formally marked the completion of the building’s frame and structure. The building remains on track for completion by autumn 2026.
The school welcomed members of the school council, Bramston Foundation trustees and supporters to celebrate the milestone. Guests were welcomed to the site with a tour, detailing the construction process thus far, and the next steps in the development.
A commemorative plaque in the spectator gallery was unveiled by St Swithun’s headmistress, Jane Gandee, recognising the joint efforts between the Bramston Foundation and St Swithun’s in bringing this project to life.
During the ceremony, guests heard from several speakers including the Councillor Sudhakar Achwal (the outgoing Mayor of Winchester), Jon Riley (director of sport at St Swithun’s), Emeritus Professor Natalie Lee (Vice chair of the Bramston Foundation) and Jane Gandee.
“The Building Active Lives project represents a significant step forward in supporting the physical and mental wellbeing of our students. The project is designed not only for athletes and sports scholars, but for all students and the local community. We hope it encourages and enables individuals to pursue an activity that suits and inspires them. We remain grateful for the support of everyone, from donors to the council, who are helping to bring this vision to life.”
Ms Gandee
Progress thus far
This new facility forms part of a larger development divided into two phases: Phase One is well underway with the topping out of the indoor tennis and netball courts, while Phase Two aims to build studios, a gym and café.
Works began in August 2025 with the relandscaping of the car park and the installation of drainage runs and ducts. The asphalt was laid later, following levelling works that required 1,500 tonnes of sub-base. Earlier this year, the glulam frame was installed, followed by the tensile roof and the shaping process that gives the building its distinctive form. From March onwards, internal walls began to take shape and wall panels started to define the indoor space. Recent progress includes the mezzanine floor, the brickwork of the front façade and the first fix of electrical works.
For further information, or to discuss how you can support Active Lives at St Swithun’s, please email oga@stswithuns.com or visit the link below.
