A different jacket, the same splendour. The sports codes of the Potchefstroom Campus at the North-West University (NWU) are soon getting new accommodation when the renovations to Building K2 on the Fanie du Toit Sports Grounds across from the High Performance Institute (K21) have been completed.

The systematic commissioning of the restructured building is planned from the end of May 2021, with full occupation intended for the end of the year.

This decision was made to give die High Performance Institute and other research and educational units like Biokinetics and the CHHP (Centre for Health and Human Performance) their own space.

The Institute for Biokinetics, for example, is currently located in Cachet Park in the Virgin Active Building.

According to Jean Verster, manager of the HPI, this move will facilitate the access of thousands of local and international athletes to facilities and expertise of outstanding quality.

“With this move to the new building we will really be a one-stop service to athletes. It will be incredible.”

He mentions further that attention will be given to athletes’ teaching and learning needs in Building K21, while their exercising and administrative needs will be catered for in Building K2.

The NWU’s various sports codes (like rugby, cricket, netball, hockey, athletics, soccer and many more), the gymnasium and new rehabilitation facilities will in future be housed in Building K2.

New facilities will include wet and dry recovery areas, hyperbolic oxygen therapy, as well as an anti-gravitational treadmill, NormaTec compression accessories and possibly a cryo room.

“With this move we will stand out further as one of the country’s most sought-after sports destinations. We will therefore be able to give more attention to research, we will be able to look after athletes’ needs better, and as a whole the NWU will be more attractive than ever to athletes,” Verster says.

Truly a new coat that will fit the NWU very neatly.