Project Overview
The University Sports Centre in West Cambridge marks the first phase of a comprehensive strategy for enhancing the University of Cambridge’s sporting infrastructure.
Designed by Arup Associates and constructed by SDC, this iconic venue welcomes patrons into a grand lobby housing a lounge, audio-visual space and a café.
From this area, a spacious fitness suite containing a full range of state-of-the-art cardiovascular equipment is viewed through an elegant glass partition.
The Centre also has an eight-court sports hall, plus an impressive strength and conditioning room, the latter featuring numerous free-weight platforms and a two-lane plyometric track.
Externally, the most striking feature of the building is the toroidal-shaped domed roof.
This structure was designed using lightweight steel vierendeel trusses to span the distances required for activities such as badminton and basketball, with a series of ‘gills’ included to maximise the penetration of north light.
The gills contain electro-mechanically operated glazed louvres to provide natural ventilation to Sport England standards throughout the year. These passive measures have helped to considerably reduce the building’s energy consumption.
John Woods, University of Cambridge Project Manager
“We are delighted with the quality of the design, the facilities provided, and the high standard of finishes achieved at the University Sports Centre. SDC’s team were professional, energetic, proactive, and integrated well with the rest of the design and University teams. They were always focused on providing an excellent end product.”
Core Team
Gary Wykes
Board Director
Gary started his construction career at 16 as a Trainee Quantity Surveyor, combining hands-on experience with studies at Kettering and Northampton Colleges, where he earned ONC and HNC qualifications. He later obtained a part-time degree from Nottingham Trent University, completing it in five years thanks to his prior qualifications.
In the mid-1980s, Gary worked with a second company, managing projects in Hatfield and Aylesbury, before seeking a role closer to home. Joining SDC in the late 1980s, he progressed from Quantity Surveyor to Senior Quantity Surveyor and then Manager of the Special Projects Division. During the early 1990s recession, Gary played a key role in restructuring the division, which focused on smaller-scale projects. This effort helped position SDC for long-term success in a challenging economic climate.
Appointed to SDC’s Board of Directors in 2003, Gary oversees the Special Projects Division, manages key projects, and contributes to strategic and financial planning. Between 2004 and 2007, he played a role in transitioning SDC to an Employee Benefit Trust (EBT), ensuring stability and employee-centred governance. His leadership alongside the other Board Directors has been pivotal in navigating challenges and ensuring stability.
Gary has fostered enduring relationships with major clients like Jaguar Land Rover and the University of Cambridge, emphasising quality and client satisfaction. Over decades, he has supported SDC’s evolution from a more informal operation to a professional, structured organisation. As the company continues to grow and adapt, he remains committed to supporting its ongoing success and ensuring it is well-positioned to meet future challenges.
Adam Knaggs
Contracts Manager
Adam has cultivated a celebrated career in construction management, culminating in his appointment as Managing Director in September 2021. His early exposure to the construction industry began with hands-on experience assisting his father in building agricultural structures. Following his GCSEs, Adam launched his own business, focusing on farming construction projects for a year. However, due to a decline in workload, he joined SDC in 1995.
Commencing his tenure as a Trainee Site Engineer, Adam has steadily advanced through a variety of site-based management roles, accumulating a wealth of experience and making substantial contributions to the company’s operations. In his capacity as Managing Director, he now plays a pivotal role in defining SDC’s strategic direction and ensuring the successful delivery of its diverse project portfolio. He also has overall responsibility for Health and Safety, and Quality departments.
Adam has led significant large-scale projects, including the Northampton College Redevelopment which, at the time, was one of the largest contracts in SDC’s history. His leadership on this project earned him recognition as a finalist in the Construction Manager of the Year Awards in 2009. Earlier in his career, Adam also received the Institution of Civil Engineers’ Site Engineer of the Year Award in 1999 for his innovative shuttering system design.
Beyond his project work, Adam has been an active participant in the broader construction industry. As Chair of the Cambridgeshire branch of the Chartered Institute of Building from 2016 to 2019, he promoted collaboration and professional development within the sector. More recently, he served as a trustee of the CFCI for three years. Under Adam’s guidance, SDC continues to advance its long-standing tradition of delivering quality construction projects, supported by a commitment to innovation, excellence, and community engagement.
Phil Janes
Commercial Manager
David Smeaton
M&E Manager
Matt Wells
Planning Manager
