Thame Leisure Centre is located within the grounds of the Lord Williams School site, to the West of Thame, Oxfordshire. The joint-use leisure facility comprises of a swimming pool, a four court sports hall, a dance studio, spinning room, gym and crèche. The facility is operated on the council’s behalf by the leisure provider GLL.
The works consisted of the reconfiguration and refurbishment of changing facilities, showers, vanity area, and WCs; safety, security and disabled access improvements included a new security grille roller shutter and barrier system to the poolside, new fire escape doors and an external ramp.
Improvements to the male and female toilets and shower areas included new reconfigured cubicles and lockers, a refurbished vanity area (with bespoke seating and shoe racks). A new refurbished and redecorated suspended ceiling system (with featured bulkhead details) and upgraded LED lighting resulted in a better overall environment in the changing area.
As part of the project, temporary changing, showers and toilets for customers using the pool (with a temporary covered corridor for access between the poolside fire escape doors and temporary changing block facilities) were provided while the major refurbishments were underway. The project presented a number of difficulties, as access routes were in constant use by both the public and contractors (working at Lord Williams School at the time).
A carefully considered Traffic Management Plan ensured safe deliveries to site were managed (with designated times/advance notification) and access route congestion was prevented – especially during school drop-off and pick up times. Contractor’s parking was also carefully managed to mitigate disruption and inconvenience. Storage of materials was carefully managed by just-in-time
procurement, and good quality lattice protection surface over the grass verges and areas used for the site compound ensured that minimum damage and disruption occurred during the works.
Care was taken throughout the programme to protect the pool, and drainage and ventilation services; minimising dust, debris and noise during refurbishments ensured that inconvenience and nuisance was mitigated. Screened fencing (both internally and externally) provided privacy and security at all times.
“The new changing facilities and upgrade have marked a real improvement to the overall environment of the changing area in the centre and highlights our ongoing commitment to providing the best leisure facilities for all our residents.” Cllr Lynn Lloyd, Cabinet Member for Leisure, SODC
