The new Egham Orbit Leisure Centre, owned by Runnymede Borough Council, was opened to the public yesterday the 12th February 2019. Watson Batty Architects, as part of Pellikaan Construction’s team and on behalf of the developer Places for People and Runnymede Borough Council, delivered this high quality designed leisure centre as a result of an open dialogue and continuous engagement with Runnymede BC and the centre operator, Achieve Lifestyle.
Providing a wide range of sport and leisure facilities, the completed Leisure Centre creates a compact and effective complex that reflects Achieve Lifestyle’s modern approach to leisure centre delivery.
The new facilities that replace the existing leisure centre will provide a 25m 8 lane swimming pool and a 10m x 10m learner pool, both with moveable floors; wet splash area; soft play area; various changing room facilities including wet, dry, a village change and dedicated changing rooms associated with the outdoor pitches; a heath suite to include a spa and 8 treatment rooms; crèche with outdoor terrace and play area; 4 court sports hall; a fitness suite with 2 consultation rooms; flexi indoor cycling/training room; 2 flexible use studios one with sliding/folding doors; staff offices with breakout areas and a cafe with outdoor terrace and landscape.
These facilities represent a significant improvement to those currently provided on site, particularly the provision of swimming, the pool being the first publicly accessible one within the Borough of Runnymede.
Various factors determined the location of the new Leisure Centre; the main considerations being the need to retain the operation of the existing facilities throughout construction of the new building whilst also mitigating the flood risk and impact of the new building on its surrounding. Due to the sites location on a designated area of the Green Belt, close attention was paid to the façade and landscape design to ensure the development complemented its setting.
The composition of the building and landscape strategies responded to the existing site context and topography, helping maintain the existing links with the surrounding residential areas. The resultant design will encourage participation in a wide variety of indoor and outdoor activities through providing a safe, welcoming and comfortable environment as well as providing a facility which is secure and energy efficient.
Demolition of the existing leisure centre will commence soon.
