The Project
The new Royton Leisure Centre was to become a central hub for adults and children of all ages and abilities, providing better and more tailored exercise and leisure facilities than had previously been available. The client needed a full detailed design of all M&E services, including lighting, heating, ventilation, HVAC, power, fire alarms, security systems, CCTV, burglar alarms, photovoltaics etc.
Robert Whetham Associates (RWA) was appointed under the terms of a design and build contract directly by local M&E contractor Lewis Facilities. We were tasked with carrying out the full detailed design of the mechanical and electrical services.
Our Solution
Whilst no significant hurdles were encountered during the work, our designs were somewhat more detailed than what we would usually produce, and our drawings were used by the contractors as design and ‘working’ drawings. We worked closely with the contractors to ensure they had all the information as the time constraints were tight. The combined heating and power system (CHP) was installed as part of the hot water system and has significantly reduced the building’s utility costs as the CHP system provided electricity generation which was then offset against the electricity consumption of the building. Photovoltaics (PV) was implemented to provide ‘free’ electricity from the sun which again was offset against the electricity consumption of the building and provided a reduction in CO2. This also helped to satisfy the local authority’s target to provide 10% of energy to the local community from renewable
Solution Benefits
The project was finished on time and within budget.
The facility now incorporates the very latest energy saving technology and services including, LED lighting and controls, heating including underfloor heating, ventilation systems, PA systems, combined heating and power system, photovoltaics and swimming pool ventilation.
Oldham MBC got a state-of-the-art Leisure Centre, designed to comply with BREEAM guidelines, which incorporates a 25m six lane swimming pool with learner pool and spectator seating gallery, spinning studio, multi-purpose studios, fitness suite, eight-court sports hall, 80-station fitness studio and a four-rink indoor bowls hall.