An old leisure centre in Essex has been successfully redeveloped into a new modern complex.

Led by contractor Kier and consultancy Pick Everard, the project saw a cutting edge and energy efficient complex built to accommodate the local area.

His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent officially opened Chelmsford's Riverside Leisure Centre on Friday 14 June.

Along with a competition-standard swimming pool, the new facilities include a teaching pool; a toddler-friendly sensory splash zone and fun pool complete with flume; a 130-station gym; health and fitness studios; an Ofsted-registered creche; soft play facility; fully accessible changing rooms; a spacious reception foyer; and an airy cafe with terrace overlooking the River Chelmer. There is also storage space for around 80 bicycles in a bid to encourage greener methods of travel. Eco-friendly blue glass and blue and white bubble cladding also decorate the exterior of the swimming pool area, to reflect the use within.


Riverside Leisure Centre's BREEAM 'very good' rating puts the leisure complex in the top 25 per cent of new non-domestic buildings in the UK for environmentally friendly design, while also contributing to significantly reducing running costs.

Smart sensors have been incorporated, which monitor the weather outside and control the heating accordingly. LED bulbs, which turn off automatically when rooms are not in use, are also controlled by sensors and illuminate the complex depending on the daylight hours.

The centre uses a combined heat and power unit to generate a proportion of its own electricity. As it does this, it produces heat, which is used to supply hot water for the pool, showers, taps and heating systems. If extra heat is required, modulating 'smart' gas boilers are used to meet demand. Underfloor heating throughout the ground floor provides efficient background heating and helps warm and dry the floors in the changing areas.

Chelmsford City Council's chief executive, Nick Eveleigh said: "The people of Chelmsford have been foremost in our minds as we have planned and delivered this project; a cutting-edge centre to do the city justice and have a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of everyone who lives here. Everything we have designed, from the building to individual sessions, has had this principle in mind. We're hoping that the new centre will give people more opportunities than ever to both enjoy the city centre and lead active lives."

Riverside Leisure Centre is Chelmsford City Council's biggest ever single investment in a project for the community. The scheme is part of the redevelopment of the riverside area by the council to create a gateway to the city centre.

(CM/JG)