Willmott Dixon and partners joined with council leader Simon Robinson, to lay the first part of the low-carbon fabric of the new two-storey leisure centre building
The construction firm was awarded the £16m project earlier this year, as part of funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), to develop Bingham Arena and Enterprise Centre in Nottinghamshire on behalf Rushcliffe Borough Council.
The site is now ready for a carbon efficient plant to be installed in 2022, which will power the 25-metre, six-lane swimming pool.
The overall development is set to reduce carbon emissions by 78% compared to other leisure centres in the borough, and by 82% for similar office developments.
‘This marks a significant moment for this development’
Nick Heath, director of delivery at Willmott Dixon, said: “I’m delighted to announce the next milestone in this important project. This marks a significant moment for this development, which will use state-of-the-art technology to help us meet our low carbon targets.”
The firm’s Energy Synergy service is being included in the project to address the performance gap.
Information on how the building will be used can help to predict and model the operational energy for the buildings and will account for regulated and unregulated energy to gain a more accurate prediction of the building’s operational energy.
‘Reducing regulated carbon emissions’
Heath added: “With ambitions to secure a target BREEAM rating of very good, a low carbon technologies assessment has also been undertaken to ensure the chosen design considered the most suitable renewable energy source to reduce regulated carbon emissions.
“There will be photovoltaics (PV) on the roof of the office building and there are combined heat and power (CHP) engines being used to power the pool.
“As part of the Energy Synergy process, equipment will be monitored and altered once the buildings are in use, to be more energy efficient.
“There will also be sustainable transport solutions such as cycle facilities, EV charging points and the project’s location allows use of the train station and local bus routes. We are also using a Myrtha pool, which is a steel-framed as opposed to concrete, which has low carbon benefits.”
Once the new leisure centre is complete, it will feature two swimming pools, a fitness gym, workout studios and an adjacent community hall with staging and seating.
The Bingham Enterprise Centre will provide 12 self-contained office lets for small and growing businesses over two floors that could create up to 90 jobs.
‘Delivering a greener and more efficient development’
Council leader, Simon Robinson, stated: “It’s fantastic to see a major project taking shape that will benefit Bingham and the wider community that has also prioritised the environmental aspects so well.
“I am delighted to have all our partners join us in delivering a greener and more efficient development, that remains on schedule and that will be enjoyed for generations to come.”
The project team includes project managers Henry Riley, architecture firm YMD Boon Architects, M&E engineers ESP and civil and structural engineers BSP Consulting, and was procured through Procure Partnerships.
‘A fantastic scheme providing local employment’
Conor Neild-Crabb, key account manager for Procure Partnerships, also commented: “Bingham Arena and Enterprise Centre is a fantastic scheme providing local employment, first-class leisure facilities, and space for new local businesses to grow in a facility with outstanding environmental credentials.
“It really is an impressive scheme, delivering brilliant outcomes for Rushcliffe Borough Council through the Procure Partnerships.”
The Bingham Arena and Bingham Enterprise Centre project is expected to complete in May 2022.
