Spelthorne Leisure Centre is a new £50m hub for the community in Staines-Upon-Thames, set to facilitate sports and leisure activities for local residents, and promote better health outcomes.
The centre has strong environmental credentials, with aspirations to be certified as the largest Passivhaus wet and dry leisure centre.
Gleeds was appointed in 2018 to provide project management and employer’s agent services on this landmark scheme. The leisure centre comprises: an eight lane 25m swimming pool with spectator seating, a four lane 20m learner pool, a six-court sports hall for multi-games, three squash courts, a fitness suite including spin studios, a soft play area including a ‘clip n climb’ climbing wall, café, four 3G football pitches on the roof and 297 car parking spaces. There is also a rooftop community garden space, and cycle trails which connect to a nearby park.
As the centre is located within a flood zone, and adjacent to another public amenity, there were strict parameters for planning and constructing the project. Phasing of the works had to be considered and addressed as part of the design to enable operational car parking, customer access and works logistics to be delivered with minimised impact.
Gleeds were involved throughout the lifecycle of the project – providing a single point multidisciplinary design team from feasibility through to operational completion. The team was led by our development management experts and supported by several of our specialist teams who provided construction contract administration and health and safety services.
There were several challenges on the project, including site location, maximising the space and capital and operational cost effectiveness. The project team collectively helped resolve these through a highly sustainable design and build solution.
There were also changes to the scheme as it progressed; it was not originally envisaged to be Passivhaus certified at concept stage, and a phased approach was needed to bring this idea to fruition. However, the measures taken to achieve Passivhaus are expected to result in energy and cost savings compared to standard facilities of 50-60% and a cost reduction down from £57/m2 to £20/m2.
