University unveiled £75m campus

It is hoped the new city campus will attract more students

A multi-million pound vision to change the face of Sunderland University's city campus has been unveiled.

Around £75m will be spent on the site in the hope of attracting more students to the location.

Plans for the former Chester Road site include a sport and recreation facility, a hotel and conference complex and new student accommodation.

The £11m sports centre will have six badminton courts, a fitness suite and sports massage and injuries centre.

It will also boast an indoor climbing wall and it is hoped it will train Olympians of the future.

'Best experience'

Later phases of the new campus will include a 200-room hotel and conferencing facility on Hind Street and a 400-room student accommodation block.

There are also improvement and refurbishment plans for the Sir Tom Cowie Campus at St Peter's.

Professor Peter Fidler, the University of Sunderland's Vice-Chancellor, said: "We are committed to ensuring that our current and future students receive the best possible experience.

"This vision for our city campus will help us achieve that. Equally, staff and the community will also enjoy these fantastic new facilities."