1. ASA Conference 9th April 2008
An Introduction to Sport England’s ‘Swimming Pools’ Design Guidance Note
ASA Conference
9th April 2008

2. Introductions Ben Woods – Senior Technical Project Manager
LDA: Olympic Venues Team
Written by:
Sport England and Design Advice Consortium
Led by S&P Architects
Robin Wilson Consulting
‘Virtual’ consultation group

3. Overview White Handbook 1996 Need for an update
Relevant to current situation
Easily accessible
Free advice
First web-based Pools guide
go to
downloads ‘Design Guidance’
‘wiki-pedia’ for sports design
The S & P Design Consortium began work in March of this year and have undertaken a series of upgraded design notes.
See Sport England web site for details.
Overall aims:
A more consultative approach
More readable
Quicker to update
More accessible
Moving towards a more web based approach

4. Objectives
‘To promote a greater general understanding of Swimming Pool Design’
Overview of the concepts
Appreciation of technical issues
Critical factors that need to be considered
Point to where more detailed information can be found

5. Target Audience Client Bodies
Architects and key professionals in the design team
Funding Bodies / Design Champions
Stakeholders ( users – operators – sponsors etc )
General Public (one of the most requested topics)

6. Format
Chapters
Photographs
Highlight text panels
Hot links
Footnotes

7. 1. Promote Swimming Promoting the value of swimming
4614 separate pools in England
872,910 m2 of water
High popularity in surveys
Existing ownership and new trends

8. 2. Strategic Issues Why? … Where? … What size? …
Who are the likely users / activities? …
Strategic Planning
Public Consultation
Level of Competition
Capital Funding
Long-term sustainability

9. 3. Site and Location Site considerations Location Site planning
External appearance
Transport Links

10. 4. Organising the Building 1
First Impressions
Entrance Area
Reception / access / control
Relationship of Spaces
Welcoming and attractive to users

11. 4. Organising the Building 2
Pool Hall
Sizes and Layouts
Learner and Diving Pools included
Moveable Floors / Booms
Structure and Glazing

12. 4. Organising the Building 3
Changing Areas
‘Village’ and Single Sex
Disability Access
Fixtures, Fittings & Equipment
Storage
Office / Staff Rooms

13. 5. Servicing the Building
‘Notes’ on Building Services issues
Energy Consumption / Efficiency
Pool Water Quality
Air Temperature / Humidity
Lighting and Acoustics

14. 6. Constructing the Building
‘Notes’ on Construction Issues
Heavy Wear and Tear
Pool Tank Design
Finishes in Wet Areas
Risks of Condensation / Corrosion
A to Z Approach of all the building main elements.

15. 7. Operating the Building
‘Notes’ on Maintenance issues
Consider at the design stage
Ease of maintenance
Creation of clean, safe conditions
for heavy and prolonged use
A look at common problem areas

16. 8. Further Information Appendices 1. Related organisations
2. Standards and Legislation (CDM, HSE, Pr EN 15288)
3. Changing room capacity calculation (example)
4. Leisure Pools
5. Further information/references
With hyperlinks to relevant information…

17. Consultation ‘Virtual’ group consulted whilst in production in 2007
Over 200 written comments on draft publication
A number of themes / common points addressed at consultation meeting in February 2008
Many thanks to all who provided valuable input including ASA, ISRM, PWTAG, GLL, MSG Consult, Arup, Limbricks, LA Architects, FCB Architects

18. Next Steps Read it, use it, tell others www.sportengland.org
From Olympic Aquatics Centre
to small Community Pools
Not perfect… but 99% there
Web-based – easy to update
6 month review planned

19. Contact Details Kevin Mills - Sport England
David Griffiths – S&P Architects
Robin Wilson – Robin Wilson Consulting
Ben Woods – London Development Agency