Location | Colombo, Sri Lanka |
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Coordinates | 6°54′10″N 79°51′50″E / 6.90278°N 79.86389°ECoordinates: 6°54′10″N 79°51′50″E / 6.90278°N 79.86389°E |
Owner | Royal College Colombo |
Operator | Royal College Union |
Capacity | 12500 |
Surface | Grass |
Construction | |
Opened | May 10, 2001 |
Construction cost | Eight million rupees |
Royal College Sports Complex is the rugby union grounds of Royal College Colombo, it was formally known as the Royal College Rugby Grounds. It is home to multi-use stadium and sports complex. Built in 2000, with funds from the Royal College Union (RCU), current students and parents; it is managed by a Board of Management appointed by the RCU.
The land on the eastern side of Reid Avenue, was part of the Colombo Racecourse and the Colombo Turf Club. During World War II it was the site of the RAF airstrip. When horse racing declined after gambling was outlawed in the 1950s Colombo Racecourse and its land fell into disuse and was taken over by the government. The large land extent was segmented and distributed to government entities. Royal College Colombo, received a four-acre plot which became the Royal College Rugby Grounds.
In 2000, work began at the rugby grounds for a state of the art sports complex up to international standards to host multiple sports and a modern gymnasium. The indoor stadium houses a 450 seating capacity along with two squash courts with a 150-seat capacity and a badminton courts with 250 seats. In 2013 an additional seating tier, the "Royal -Brandix Sky Pavillion", was constructed increasing the outdoor arena capacity to 12,500 including the terraces. The complex also boasts a 120 unit car park with basement parking.
Royal College Sports Complex grounds serves as a venue for rugby union, football, baseball and hockey. The indoor stadium is a venue for squash, badminton, basketball, volleyball and boxing.