Open for a Summer of Fun
Commissioned by Medway Council in late 2021, SPACE&PLACE (S&P), through open tender bidding, were selected to provide Project Management, Quantity Surveyor and Integrated Design Team services for the new Cozenton Park Sports Centre in Rainham, Medway.
Appointed to undertake RIBA stages 1 to 4a up to tender and then subsequently to provide Project Management, Employers Agent (JCT D&B and Technical Advisor service from stages 4B onwards, S&P were tasked with designing and delivering a replacement facility for the dilapidated Splashes Leisure Centre, occupying the same site. Capital investment was made to ensure continued provision of swimming and leisure opportunities to the local community as provided by the much-loved former Splashes Sports Centre, to improve the economic and social value of the sports centre, enhance sustainable credentials, improve energy efficiency and reduce operating costs.
Working with internal council services, our project team designers worked with the local leisure team to understand the demographic requirements, acknowledge the community benefits of the existing site and determine the environmental factors that required improvement so as to present a scheme that met local need and served changing market conditions.
Highlights
In order to minimise the loss of service for the local communities, Medway Council committed to an accelerated programme to deliver the replacement facility. Working with a team of consultants, suppliers and partners including Quantity Surveyors, STACE and contractor WILLMOTT DIXON, the final project was delivered on time and on budget, with additional value added as a result of a robust value engineering process, improving sustainability initiatives and achieving additional client enhancements.
Taking advantage of existing infrastructure and working directly with council intelligence teams, supported a speedy and cost-effective programme, resulting in zero scope creep.
Sustainability
As specialists in sustainable building design and the team behind the world’s first multi-zonal Passivhaus leisure centre, St. Sidwell’s Point in Exeter, the S&P team appointed to this project were delighted to utilise their knowledge, skill and experience to enhance the environmental benefits of Cozenton Park Sports Centre.
Super insulated external fabric, thermal zoning, heat recovery systems, LED lighting and pool orientation were all used to achieve high energy efficiency and replicate some of the key principles outlined by the Passivhaus Institute, all enhanced by extensive arrays of solar panels on the roof. The use of generous ceiling heights and ample glazing throughout seeks to blend the external natural parkland environment with the internal design providing a calm, light and airy atmosphere.
The new Cozenton Park Sports Centre, comprising of a 25m fitness pool, leisure water with wave machine, flume, confidence pool, gym, studio, meeting and training space has opened with huge success. Client and community are thrilled with their new leisure centre and already benefiting from a jam-packed summer programme, optimising on their new space.
Photo courtesy of Tony Hardy