Link Bridge set to be installed
How the new link bridge will look between the Sandy Park Hotel and Sandy Park Conference & Banqueting venue
By Mark Stevens
26/3/21
Installation of the new and enclosed link bridge between Sandy Park and the Sandy Park Hotel is to take place over the course of this weekend.
The huge 40-tonne, 27m x 4m structure, which was built locally in Newton Abbot, will be lifted into place by cranes during what will be a seven-hour operation.
The impressive glazed link bridge, which was designed by Exeter-based architects KTA, will be the permanent walkway that links Sandy Park’s Conference & Banqueting facility to that of the new £39 million, 250-room Sandy Park Hotel, which is due to open in the late Autumn of this year.
Construction of the state-of-the-art hotel, which began in January 2020, has been progressing as planned and will be the ‘crown jewel’ in Sandy Park’s extensive offering to customers.
Coming under the worldwide Courtyard by Marriott brand, the basement of the four-star hotel will provide a fitness facility, whilst the reception level will house a cafeteria, bistro restaurant, business centre and conference facilities.
The picturesque ‘View Restaurant’ is described as 'one of its kind for the area' and will provide a 'unique dining experience for guests and visitors', including two private dining rooms, serving locally caught fish from Brixham, prime Devon red beef, alongside other exquisite produce from across the region.
As well as helping to drive additional business towards Sandy Park Conference & Banqueting Centre during the week, the hotel will also be a welcome addition to supporters heading to the city for match-days involving the Exeter Chiefs.
Exeter Rugby Club chairman and chief executive, Tony Rowe OBE, said: “The installation of the link bridge this weekend marks another major milestone into the creation of the new Sandy Park Hotel.
“The bridge will provide a perfect and safe link between the hotel and Sandy Park itself, allowing us to create a perfect symmetry between the two businesses.
“In what have been testing times for all of us due to the pandemic, the fact that we remain on course for opening in the late Autumn is testament to all of the hard-work that has been put in by everyone working on site, particularly the team at DNA Construction.”
During the installation process, all traffic through Old Rydon will be diverted due to a temporary road closure.