A summary of the contents
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Affordable
Community Swimming Pools
Creating sporting opportunities in every community
December 2011
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
Strategic planning
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.
1
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).
B:B
C:C
DWC
First aid
40 spectator viewing places
FWC
MWC
A:A
Office
Reception
Plant
CPF
D.Ch
/ WC
V
V
Sh Sh
A:A
Pool hall
Changing
Sh
Sh Sh
BC
Sh Sh
Pool Store
25 temporary pool side seating places
B:B
C:C
Sh Sh DWC
F/D/G
F/D/G
F/D/G
F/D/G
Cl.St
D:D
D:D
B:B
Floor plan of 6 lane pool
A:A
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 CONSIDERATIONS
2
Identify if the site or sites are a priority for swimming provision or other
complementary activity in local plans or strategies.
3
Identify 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.
4
Develop and review the different options that will meet the future aquatic needs
of the area.
(For example are there proposals for new sports halls, schools or health facilities?)
TYPE, LEVEL AND AMOUNT OF ACTIVITY
(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 OPTIONS
(For example this might include refurbishing existing pools, the number and location
of pools, the role of other providers.)
DEVELOPING THE PROJECT BRIEF
5
The 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.
6
This step brings together all the information collected and the decisions made
and determines whether there is a viable sport and business case.
7
At 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.
THE BUSINESS CASE / VALUE FOR MONEY APPRAISAL
THE DECISION
November Revision 002
5
Capital costs
© Sport England 2011
An 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.
D:D
DWC
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:
The 7 Step Process
Design
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.
project brief is based on clearly articulated needs
and a strong evidence base.
A:A
Typical costs of the base construction:
4 Lanes
5 Lanes
6 Lanes
6 Lanes + Secondary pool
8 Lanes
8 Lanes + Secondary pool
=
=
=
=
=
=
£ 2.1 m
£ 2.6 m
£ 2.8 m
£ 3.4 m
£ 3.4 m
£ 4.0 m
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 interrelationships between the:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Design Specifications and sustainability
Capital funding
Programmes of use
Operating budgets
Need for subsidies.
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.
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.
B:B
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
C:C
D:D
Pool hall
Changing
Plant
A new swimming pool can be opened within
24 months of the decision to proceed.
B:B
C:C
D:D
Typical section
A:A
A:A
Plant
Pool
Store
Pool hall
Plant
A:A
First
Aid
A:A
Changing
Reception
T
u
e
1
2
3
4
5
6
W
e
d
1
2
3
4
5
6
T
h
u
1
2
3
4
5
6
21.30
22.00
20.30
21.00
19.30
20.00
18.30
19.00
17.30
18.00
16.30
17.00
15.30
16.00
14.30
15.00
13.30
14.00
12.30
13.00
11.30
12.00
11.00
9.30
10.00
9.00
8.00
7.00
6.00
Lane
1
2
3
4
5
6
10.30
The 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.
M
o
n
8.30
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.
7.30
Energy / sustainability /
specification issues
6.30
Operational budget and
programme of use
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.
S
a
t
1
2
3
4
5
6
S
u
n
1
2
3 Main
4
5
6
‘Linear’
Options for reconfiguring the main
elements to suit individual sites
The reception and support
spaces may be reduced if the
Entrance
building can be linked to suitable
existing accommodation
Indicative programme of use (6 lane pool)
Activity Key
Lane (fitness) swimming
M
o
n
Casual swimming
Swimming Clubs / Squads
T
u
e
1
2
3
4
5
6
W
e
d
1
2
3
4
5
6
T
h
u
1
2
3
4
5
6
F
r
i
1
2
3
4
5
6
S
a
t
1
2
3
4
5
6
Learn to Swim
(beginner to adult)
Schools
Specialist sessions (women
only / aquafit / canoeing etc)
Private Hire / Galas
Staff Training / Maintenance
Closed
S
u
n
21.30
22.00
20.30
21.00
19.30
20.00
19.00
18.30
18.00
17.30
17.00
16.30
16.00
15.30
14.30
15.00
14.00
13.30
13.00
12.30
12.00
11.30
11.00
10.30
10.00
9.30
9.00
8.30
8.00
7.30
7.00
Lane
1
2
3
4
5
6
Reception
/ Control
Spectator viewing
pool - term time (39 weeks)
6.30
Typical programme of
use for a 6 lane pool
1
2
3
4
5
6
6.00
F
r
i
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.
Pool
Hall
Plant /
Store
Changing
Plant linked
to deep end
‘Square’
Reception
/ Control
Entrance
Plant /
Store
Changing
Viewing
Alternative
Spectator
Viewing
Pool
Hall
1
2
3
4
5
6
Activity Key
View of the entrance
October Revision 001
Lane (fitness) swimming
21
© Sport England 2011
Entrance
Casual swimming
‘L-shaped’
Swimming Clubs / Squads
Learn to Swim
(beginner to adult)
Schools
Plant /
Store
Reception
/ Control
Viewing
Specialist sessions (women
only / aquafit / canoeing etc)
Private Hire / Galas
Staff Training / Maintenance
Pool
Hall
Changing
Closed
No Spectator viewing
Alternative external cladding materials can be used to suit the particular
character and environmental requirements of each site.