Creating sporting opportunities in every community

Affordable Community Swimming Pools

New advice on web site

http://www.sp

ortengland.org/facilities__

planning/design_and_cost_

guidance.aspx

+ downloadable CAD layouts

December 2011

A summary of the contents

Strategic planning

Design

A seven step process is illustrated to create a brief for the ‘The Right Swimming Pool’. Further advice is being developed by Sport England and the Amateur Swimming Association. It aims to ensure that key issues such as supply and demand, site location, the levels of sporting activities and option appraisals are properly considered.

A range of indicative designs illustrate tightly planned, functionally efficient and economical building structures that can:

• Comply with best practice standards• Be quickly constructed• Be tailored to individual sites to create architectural solutions that

enhance the local environment • Create high levels of customer appeal• Operate at a surplus (or with reduced subsidies).

They include 25m pool size options from 4 to 8 lanes, and with a secondary pool. CAD drawings can be downloaded from the Sport England web site.

Floor plan of 6 lane pool

Capital costsAn elemental cost breakdown is provided for alternative sizes of pools along with the indicative extra costs for additional elements that might be required for some locations (3rd Q – 2011). The base construction costs range from £2.1 m to £4.0 m.

Typical costs of the base construction:

4 Lanes = £ 2.1 m 5 Lanes = £ 2.6 m 6 Lanes = £ 2.8 m 6 Lanes + Secondary pool = £ 3.4 m 8 Lanes = £ 3.4 m 8 Lanes + Secondary pool = £ 4.0 m

Reception Of�ce

Plant

Pool Store

40 spectator viewing places

25 temporary pool side seating places

ChangingPool hall

First aid

C:C D:D

A:A

B:B

C:C D:DB:BD:D

A:A

A:A

A:A

B:B

D:DB:B

F/D/G F/D/G F/D/G F/D/G

FWC

Sh

ShSh

ShSh

Sh Sh

Sh Sh

V V

DWC

DWC

DWC

BC

D.Ch/ WC

MWC

Cl.St

CPF

Strategic Planning

The 7 Step Process

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

SUPPLY AND DEMAND ISSUES Identify the issues of supply and demand that need to be addressed by any

proposals for modernising or building new pools. (For example this will include the age and condition of existing pools as well as any plans for new

pools, areas of housing growth or significant population change.)

STRATEGIC CONSIDERATIONSIdentify if the site or sites are a priority for swimming provision or other

complementary activity in local plans or strategies.

(For example are there proposals for new sports halls, schools or health facilities?)

TYPE, LEVEL AND AMOUNT OF ACTIVITYIdentify the types of activities e.g. competition, training; the level of use such as

community use, regional club use; and how much time and space will be needed. (It is important that the ASA are fully involved at this step to advise on the requirements for club

and performance swimming and other aquatics disciplines.)

DEVELOPING AND REVIEWING THE OPTIONSDevelop and review the different options that will meet the future aquatic needs

of the area. (For example this might include refurbishing existing pools, the number and location

of pools, the role of other providers.)

DEVELOPING THE PROJECT BRIEFThe project team will develop the selected option from high level requirements

into a project brief that defines what is needed: the amount of water space, number of pools, use of movable floors and booms etc.

THE BUSINESS CASE / VALUE FOR MONEY APPRAISALThis step brings together all the information collected and the decisions made

and determines whether there is a viable sport and business case.

THE DECISIONAt this step the decision is made either to proceed with an affordable and viable

option or go back to an earlier step and review the requirements / identify an alternative solution.

There are many permutations for community swimming pools ranging from 4 lane to 8 lane pools which may also be combined with a secondary pool. In addition the pools may be enhanced by the installation of movable floors and booms. More water space and greater flexibility through the use of booms and movable floors is very desirable. However these come with a significant increase in both capital and running costs. It is therefore critical for the success of any pool project that the

project brief is based on clearly articulated needs and a strong evidence base.

A clear understanding of what is required is crucial to the long term success of any pool project and it is important that the project is developed in a consistent and logical way. Sport England and the ASA are finalising a ‘Developing the Right Swimming Pool’ document that should be followed for every pool project. The recommended key steps are set out below:

November Revision 002 5 © Sport England 2011

Overview The new information is aimed at the early briefing and design stages of swimming pool projects and aims to give a better understanding of the inter-relationships between the:

• Design • Specifications and sustainability• Capital funding• Programmes of use • Operating budgets• Need for subsidies.

It is an essential reference for new community swimming projects or where the rationalisation of the existing swimming pool stock is being considered.

The study has a particular focus on the ‘affordability’ and ‘future financial sustainability’ of swimming pools but at the same time it illustrates how new projects can meet a full range of community needs and comply with best practice standards.

The use of a ‘one-stop-shop’ procurement route is also illustrated that can speed up and simplify the planning, design and construction processes.

Potential uses include:

• Developing feasibility studies and option appraisals• Establishing a robust project brief• Developing the business plan and operational budget• Selecting a procurement route and project programme• Validate key project details• Forming a template for a future project.

The base construction costs range from £2.1 m to £4.0 m The operating budget can create a surplus of circa £24 k / year

A new swimming pool can be opened within 24 months of the decision to proceed.

Typical section

0 5 10m

North

A:A

A:A

C:CB:B

C:CB:B

D:D

D:D

A:A

A:A

Reception / circulation

Plant

First aid Pool Tank

Pool store

Sof�t / applied ceilingChanging

Pool hall

Pool hall

Pool hall

Changing

Changing Reception

Plant

Plant

Plant

AidFirst

PoolStore

Energy / sustainability /specification issuesThe indicative specification details that are included in the costs are in line with current best practice. They cover building fabric, structural design, energy / sustainability and building services issues.

Additional details are given on the internal areas of the range of buildings, the area ratios of main elements to the size of the pool water and calculations for the changing rooms against the programmes of use that are assumed in the operational budget.

Options for reconfiguring the main elements to suit individual sites

Key factors for achieving a ‘break even’ operating budget are discussed along with the various aspects of creating a viable business plan for the catchment market.

Indicative operating budgets are shown for the various sizes of swimming pool and for a typical programme of use. The key assumptions such as pricing, user through put and staff structures are also indicated.

The analysis suggests that swimming pools with 6 lanes (and more) are most likely to operate on a ‘break even’ basis, subject to market catchment and business planning considerations.

Operational budget andprogramme of use

Typical programme of use for a 6 lane pool

Alternative external cladding materials can be used to suit the particular character and environmental requirements of each site.

Indicative programme of use (6 lane pool)

Main pool - term time (39 weeks)

Lane 6.00

6.30

7.00

7.30

8.00

8.30

9.00

9.30

10.0

0 10.3

0

11.0

0 11.3

0

12.0

0 12.3

0

13.0

0 13.3

0

14.0

0 14.3

0

15.0

0 15.3

0

16.0

0 16.3

0

17.0

0 17.3

0

18.0

0 18.3

0

19.0

0 19.3

0

20.0

0 20.3

0

21.0

0 21.3

0

22.0

0

123456

123456

123456

123456

123456

123456

123456

Activity Key

Learn to Swim(beginner to adult)

Specialist sessions (women only / aquafit / canoeing etc)

Lane (fitness) swimming

Casual swimming

Swimming Clubs / Squads

Private Hire / Galas

Staff Training / Maintenance

Closed

Sat

Sun

Schools

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Lane 6.00

6.30

7.00

7.30

8.00

8.30

9.00

9.30

10.0

0 10.3

0

11.0

0 11.3

0

12.0

0 12.3

0

13.0

0 13.3

0

14.0

0 14.3

0

15.0

0 15.3

0

16.0

0 16.3

0

17.0

0 17.3

0

18.0

0 18.3

0

19.0

0 19.3

0

20.0

0 20.3

0

21.0

0 21.3

0

22.0

0

123456

123456

123456

123456

123456

123456

123456

Activity Key

Learn to Swim(beginner to adult)

Specialist sessions (women only / aquafit / canoeing etc)

Lane (fitness) swimming

Casual swimming

Swimming Clubs / Squads

Private Hire / Galas

Staff Training / Maintenance

Closed

Sat

Sun

Schools

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

October Revision 001 21 © Sport England 2011

View of the entrance

‘Linear’

‘Square’

‘L-shaped’

Spectator viewing

Viewing

Viewing

Plant / Store

Alternative Spectator Viewing

Plant linked to deep end

Pool Hall Changing

Changing

Reception / Control

The reception and supportspaces may be reduced if the building can be linked to suitable existing accommodation

Entrance

No Spectator viewing

Plant / Store

Pool Hall

Changing

Entrance

Plant / Store

Pool Hall

Reception / Control

Reception / Control

Entrance