Project > Flitwick Leisure Centre

The Sports & Leisure Project which was noted as Exemplar by Sports England

We delivered provision of full architectural, structural and M&E services from RIBA Stages 1-4 to Central Bedfordshire Council on a Two Stage Design & Build contract with our appointment being through Deloitte Real Estate. We were then novated to SDC Construction for completion of RIBA Stages 5-7.

The design of the project was a seamless process, drawing upon DB3 and the wider design team’s extensive sector knowledge.

  • Wide range of state-of-the- art leisure facilities under one roof
  • Designed to be financially sustainable
  • Completed on time and budget

Sport England

Sport England

We worked closely with our client and their financial team to secure a £2million Sport England grant and utilised the Sport England Design Guidance documents. Our effective briefing and design process has been widely recognised by Sport England who are now using the scheme as an exemplar project for an approach to the development of the brief, business case and design proposal.

Everything under one roof

Everything under one roof

The range of sport and leisure facilities is designed to complement one another and attract the widest range of users possible. It has been determined that the activities provided will appeal to the whole community and to all ages and includes:

  • 25m 8-lane community swimming pool
  • Teaching pool with movable floor
  • Confidence water area
  • Four court sports hall
  • Climbing wall
  • Crèche/party room
  • Flexible multi-use studios
  • Fully equipped 120 station gym
  • Two squash courts and two five-a-side
  • 3G pitches
  • Crèche and café and viewing area.

Financially sustainable

Financially sustainable

The business model developed with the Client sought to maximise income ensuring that the Council achieve a return on its capital investment. The project was designed to offer long-term value for money and low revenue requirements for reactive maintenance issues. The mix of facilities ensures that the centre is financially sustainable and that the sporting needs of the current and future populations will be met.

Architectural features

Architectural features

Our team designed the project so that the all facilities are easily viewed and accessed from the main circulation, which flows from the outside in, providing great legibility and a visually stimulating entrance space. All the specialist areas such as the pool hall, pool tank and surround and other wet areas have been designed in house and have been carefully coordinated with the other consultants. The building is modern and elegant with a frontage onto Steppingley Road. Key architectural features include:

 

  • Efficient, cost effective to build, operate and maintain
  • Visually exciting elements (pool hall) located in most prominent positions
  • Retention of mature trees
  • Key facilities in the shop window are visible from the entrance/car park
  • Convenient, prominent, entrance as an attractive space with high degrees of legibility
  • Maximised developable area for an adjacent housing development without compromising the leisure facilities.
  • Outdoor leisure facilities located adjacent to facilities and outdoor change.
  • Landscaped buffer zone between the centre and housing with good pedestrian links.
  • Parking provision does not dominate the site.

The outcome

The outcome

The programme was completed on time and within budget. The quality of all of the facilities is very high and they are proving hugely popular and very well-liked and well used by the public.

Client: Central Bedfordshire Council
Location: Flitwick, Bedford
Value: Circa £14m
RIBA Stages: 1-7
Date Completed: 2016

View our Sector Brochures

Thanks for signing up.

We’ll be in touch shortly.