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Clickimin Leisure Centre
Clickimin Leisure Centre is a multi-purpose community space in Shetland. It was the first of ten sport and leisure projects designed and delivered by FaulknerBrowns across the archipelago, and sparked a transformation of community life on the isles.
Summary
Multi-purpose facility
Location
Shetland Islands
Client
Shetland Islands Council
Size
8,000m²
Completion
1995
Clickimin leisure centre shetland islands bagpipe and drum players in hall 10x11
Vision
In 1980 the Shetland Islands Council were inspired to improve the quality of life in Scotland’s northernmost islands by providing spaces for regular indoor recreation and leisure. Our design for Clickimin Leisure Centre in Lerwick was the first facility to bring this vision to life, combining cultural, social and sporting spaces. The success of this approach was replicated in the smaller community centres in Unst, Yell, Whalsay, Scalloway, North Mainland, South Mainland and West Mainland.
Clickimin leisure centre shetland islands aerial view g
Form

The centre is the largest covered space on the island. It overlooks the ancient Clickimin Broch in Lerwick and is nestled in a slope leading down to the loch. Mirroring the traditional buildings of the islands, sunken forms with overhanging pitched roofs protect the building from the severe Shetland weather.

Clickimin leisure centre shetland islands faulknerbrowns design team site visit 3x2
Clickimin leisure centre shetland islands view from across lake 3x4
Versatile by design

Over three phases of construction, we created distinct zones for dry sports, swimming and leisure pools, and bowls—a traditional Shetland pastime. Each square metre was carefully designed to enhance the flexibility of the centre. The main hall, for instance, not only had to provide county-standard courts for a range of sports, but also accommodate 1200 spectators safely and comfortably. The surrounding spaces were thoughtfully positioned to be used as cloakrooms, dressing rooms and bars. This versatility meant the centre could be used for sports, dances, exhibitions, conferences and concert - hosting legendary performers such as The Smiths, Elvis Costello and Pulp. 

Clickimin leisure centre shetland islands model in plan 3x2
Clickimin leisure centre shetland islands basketball match 3x2
Clickimin leisure centre shetland islands swimmers preparing 3x2
Clickimin leisure centre shetland islands bowls hall 3x2
Fostering community
Clickimin and the other centres that followed were seen as an extension to the network of 50 traditional community halls in Shetland. The centre provided a space for locals to swim, bowl, and play tennis or indoor football in a social setting conducive to community-building, improving the livelihoods of locals and helping Shetland to attract essential income from visitors.
This building was seminal in the development of multi-purpose leisure facilities in the way that every aspect was interrogated to ensure that it brought major benefit to the whole. Its lasting impact on Shetland life is evidenced by the stable population of 22,000 who have used all the centres about 22 million times since Clickimin was opened.
Alan White
Director, 1979-2016

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