Manchester Aquatic Centre
Client type Main Contractor & Public Sector
Completed by
A challenging replacement of all M&E services within a live building to enhance energy efficiency.
The project team were set a target to reduce the building’s energy use by at least 30%. Accounting for the size of the building and its considerable energy use, this had to accommodate Manchester City Council’s carbon emissions targets.
The project consisted of two elements: the main works, which involved the complete replacement of all mechanical and electrical services within the building, and the carbon reduction works, which included the installation of two air source heat pumps (ASHPs) covering the building’s base heating load, along with approximately 348 MWh of PV on the building’s roof. These combined together achieved the 30% carbon reduction target.
As part of the main works, further efforts were made to improve the building services systems. Heat recovery was provided to all air handling systems, whereas previously many were without. Base heating and cooling loads were provided by two new ASHPs, with heat extracted from gym spaces being recycled to heat swimming pools and provide domestic hot water when required.
New high efficiency LED lighting was provided throughout.
Working within the constraints of an existing building is a challenge, which was made even more difficult by the phasing of the project. The building was in frequent use by members of the public and local swimming clubs, in particular the UK paralympic swimming team who use the facility as a training base. Therefore, it was not feasible to have any significant downtime and hence the project was split into two phases.
Phase one was the refurbishment of the ground and first floors of the building, while access to the basement swimming pool and associated changing areas was maintained.
Once phase one was completed and opened in time for the World Paralympics Championship in 2023, phase two commenced. This consisted of the refurbishment of the basement pool and associated changing areas.
Working within a live building and maintaining services provision to certain areas was a great challenge and led to a series of enabling works packages and temporary heating systems, allowing the phasing to take place.
