Agenda item

To receive the presentation of the Design Team, who will present the Concept Design work to date, which will be used for the purpose of a public consultation exercise.  Formal approval will also be sought to proceed to the next stage of Detailed Design.

The Client Lead, Build introduced the Design Team who would make a presentation of the Concept Design work to date, which would be used for the purpose of public consultation. The Design Team would also be seeking formal approval to proceed to the next stage of detailed design, Stage D.

The Design team in attendance included Mark Thomas, Peter Simpson and Nic Bryant from AFLS+ P Architects and Tomas Gartner of Gale & Snowdon Eco Design. 

A summary of the Stage C Brief included:-

• An enhanced facility mix to improve the range of facilities and potential revenue generation of the leisure centre.
• The facility would achieve the environmental factors of the project brief.
• The facility would be integrated with the wider development (Crown Estates and Bus Station development) and it was anticipated that an outline planning application would be submitted in February 2016.
• The external finish of the building would be in keeping with the Council’s aspiration for a ‘landmark’ facility to provide a focal point and sense of arrival in the city.
• The scope of work would also include the retail units that form ‘Block E’ on the Princesshay Leisure Masterplan in relation to the Exeter Active facility.

The complex would include the following:-

• 8 lane 25m swimming pool (2.0 m deep with a moveable floor)
• 4 lane 20m teaching pool (0.0 – 1.2m deep with a movable floor)
• Confidence water (60 sq metres)
• 100 spectator seating overlooking the  main pool
• 150 station gym Exercise studio,  with an interchangeable space for 30 + 20 persons
• Health suite - Wet and dry spa facilities including a 13 person sauna, steam room, four treatment rooms and hydrotherapy pool.
• Two storey soft play area for children
• 50 seat cafe with servery
• Flexible meeting room/space

The Design Team presented the detail of the Stage C brief, and the presentation offered a fly through and visualisation of the central atrium showing all four levels of the building as well as capturing every aspect of the building and its facilities. The brief for a landmark, low energy building, incorporating passivhaus standards, capturing the natural light had been achieved.  The key benefits included a 70% saving on energy costs and 50% reduction in water use as well as outstanding water and air quality and resilience from predicted future climate change. Members agreed that the aspiration to provide a visually attractive and iconic building forming part of a gateway to the city centre had been achieved.  The Chair also welcomed the energy enhancing element as well as maximising the revenue opportunities for the benefit of the public. A Member was satisfied with the Design Team’s response to future climate changes, which would in effect future proof the facility for a significant period of time.

It was noted that public consultation would take place at the end of November and would include the opportunity for the public to comment.  A reserved matters planning application with the detail of the design was due to be submitted to the planning authority in February 2016.

          The Chair thanked the Design Team for their informative presentation.

RESOLVED that:-

(1)     the Project Team progress through Stage C, Concept Design, Project Control Point, and in accordance with  the Boards’ governance arrangements, proceed to Stage D, Detailed Design; and

(2)     commencement in November 2015 of the consultation to provide an opportunity for the public and all stakeholders, including the user clubs to comment, be noted.