David Lloyd Club, Hampshire
Swimex Complete Record Breaking Telescopic Pool Enclosure
A record-breaking performance as the newly formed Swimex stable pools resources...
A team from the Swimex Pool Enclosure stable is celebrating the installation of its biggest UK pool building in half the predicted installation time.
The 17.5m wide by 33.3m long fully retracting Oxford Pool Enclosure was installed at the David Lloyd Club in Hampshire by an 11 man team restricted to daylight working hours and by difficult access for articulated vehicles.
The hard-working team completed the made-to-measure project in five and a half days - splashing the predicted installation schedule in half.
"There aren't words to describe how happy I am about how the project has run," commented Ian Edmunds, general manager to the Ringwood club as the wraps came off, on time, in mid December. "To say it has been fantastic has been an understatement."
"The Swimex team has done a fantastic job. To have all the work completed in five days is simply outstanding and we are already seeing the busiest aquatic classes of the year."
The pool enclosure with preparation and nearby works, was under its £300,000 budget; itself part of a £1.3m refurbishment programme at the 20 year old club with 4,500 members on its books. Swimming pool use, normally limited to a handful of members during cooler months, is now being enjoyed by hundreds at a time. In previous winters, the pool had been covered by draughty canvas tent that constantly flapped noisily, creating cold currents of air for the shivering swimmers. The addition of the pool enclosure is expected to reduce heating bills on the pool by at least 40% with anticipated payback on the investment within an eight year timescale. In good weather, the building telescopes fully down to the club-house end, leaving a simple unobtrusive open frame at the far end. The robust building that is made of moisture and chemical resistant materials especially able to cope with harsh atmosphere associated with pool halls. The powder-coated aluminium building with polycarbonate glazing throughout is expected to cost 20% less to heat than a brick-built equivalent building that would need to be dehumidified to keep the fabric of the building protected from the damp.
Ian Edmunds says: "This really is a green pool, on a sunny day, we will be using no energy at all to heat the pool, the rest of the time the heating bills will be minimal. The polycarbonate glazing also protects people, children in particular, from the harmful ultra violet rays."
The arch design is particularly strong and is built to load-bearing weights conforming to rigorous standards in France, the home of the building manufacturer. The Swim All Seasons factory near Lille produced the very large bespoke extrusions for the building in the record time - one of the biggest projects ever to feature an Oxford Pool Enclosure in UK, rivalled only be several large Oxford structures in France, Spain and in North Africa.
"This private club's agreement not to be shut down for more than one week did set us a challenge but proved to be a great example of the Swimex strengths," explained Chris Elliot of Swimex that incorporates four leading enclosure brands.
"It is the first commercial Oxford project in the UK since Oxford joined the Swimex stable and symbolises the benefits of working together as the biggest team in the UK. The Oxford was the best product for this particular job. We pooled our resources putting a team together in perfect harmony."
The Swimex stable includes Pool Cover, Easy Glide and BabyDome as well as Oxford Pool Enclosures. To find ourt more about the Swimex projects logo on to www.swimex.co.uk
Submitted by John Crane on Thursday 4th June 2009