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Typical health and fitness club sizes
Type of clubDevelopment size (m2)
Hotel health and fitness centre450-800
Independent town centre health club500-1400
Town centre health and fitness club950-2500
Out-of-town health and fitness club3200-4200
Out-of-town health, fitness and racquet clubup to 9500
Indicative annual energy consumption
ºÚ¶´ÉçÇø typeEnergy conumption (kWh/m2 per annum)
fgsaGoodAveragePoor
Air-conditionied office<225225-360>360
Dry sports hall<200200-340>340
Sports facility including pool<570570-840>840
Swimming pool<10501050-1390>1390
Source: Sports Council
Environmental services design criteria
Functional areaInternal design temperature (°C)Ventilation rate (air changes/hr)Lighting level (lux)
Gym2008-Dec300
Dance Studio2208-Dec300
Training pool2720200
Leisure pool3220200
Changing area2220150
WCs186150
Treatment rooms216300
Source : CIBSE
Indicative costs: equipment
EquipmentCost per item (£)
Gym equipmentÌý
Resistance training (eg multigym, Nautilus) 1500-2500
Cardiovascular trainingÌý
Treadmills3000-6000
Rowing machines1000-3500
Step machines1500-4000
Bikes 2500-5500
Cardio theatre (TV monitor and multichannel sound) 15 000-20 000
Health and leisure equipmentÌý
Steam roomsÌý
7-10 persons8000-12 000
15-20 persons13 000-20 000
Saunas2500-5000
Spa pool15 000-20 000
Sun beds8000-14 000
Gym equipment is typically replaced on a three- to five-year cycle. Equipment can also be leased. Estimates for equipment budgets should be prepared on the basis of an allowance of one machine per 8-10 m2 of gym floor area.
Indicative construction costs of health and fitness centres
Development typeIndicative area (m2)Cost (£/m2 gross)
Out-of-town health and fitness centre (including pool)3200-4200Ìý
ShellÌý250-350
Fit-outÌý550-850
Town-centre health and fitness centre (excluding pool)950-2500Ìý
Fit-outÌý800-1250
Leisure centre extension to existing hotel (including pool)450-8001250-1750
Conversion of office space into fitness centre (excluding pool)100-200Ìý
Limited services modificationsÌý1200-1500
Extensive services modificationsÌý1400-1700
Costs are at August 1998 price levels based on a South-east location. Preliminaries are included but gymnasium equipment, contingencies and allowances for the cost of site abnormals are excluded. Costs also exclude car prking, external works and services, professional fees, development on-coss and VAT.
Cost breakdown
ÌýElement cost (£)Cost /m2 gfa (£)% of total cost
Substructure312 60084.498.99
Foundations; isolated pad foundationsÌý50 nr @£400
Ground slab; 150 mm thick reinforced insitu concrete bed, hardcore; damp-proof membrane; below slab drainage; includes thickening to perimeterÌý2665 m2 @£65
Extra for forming swimming-pool tank; excavation; retaining walls, ducts, drainage, etcÌý480 m2 @£250
Frame239 60064.766.89
Structural steel framing; portal frame; windbracing; allowance based on 35 kg/m2 Ìý130 t @£1,100
Allowance for trimming steelwork to mezzanine and upper floor plant room areasÌý25 t @£1,250
Cold-rolled galvanised steel roof purlins; 1.6 m centres; 4.5 kg/m average weightÌý1900 m @£6
Cold-rolled galvanised steel sheeting rails; 1.6 m centres; 5 kg/m average weightÌý650 m @£6
Intumescent paint finish; one-hour fire resistance; moisture-resistant finish to pool areaÌý2000 m2 @£25
Upper floors54 80014.811.57
Insitu concrete composite floor slabs; power floatingÌý990 m2 @£50
Extra for 7.5 kN/m2 floor loading to plant room areasÌý550 m2 @£5
Facia detail to exposed edge of mezzanine floor slabÌý50 m2 @£50
Roof221 10059.766.36
Roof cladding; colour-coated galvanised steel sandwich panels; 60 mm thick urethane insulationÌý2950 m2 @£50
Extra for 7.5 kN/m2 floor loading to plant room areasÌý550 m2 @£5
Facia detail to exposed edge of mezzanine floor slabÌý50 m @£50
Stairs35 3009.541.01
Steel feature stair and half landing; overall rise 3.50 m; polyester powder-coated mild steel balusters; stainless steel handrails; finishesÌý1 nr @£10 000
Insitu concrete stairs and half landing; overall rise 3.50 m; polyester-coated, mild steel handrails; finishesÌý2 nr @£4,500
Balustrade and handrail to mezzanine; polyester powder-coate mild steel balusters, stainless steel handrailÌý18 m @£350
Allowance for access platforms and stairs to plant roomsÌýItem @£10 000
External walls95 50025.812.75
Wall cladding; colour-coated galvanised steel sandwich panels; 60 mm thick urethane insulation; flashings; accessoriesÌý295 m2 @£60
Cavity wall; fair-faced architectural blockwork; cavity; insulation; 140 mm blockwork inner leaf; windposts etcÌý740 m2 @£85
Louvre panels; powder-coated aluminiumÌý30 m2 @£250
140 mm thick blockwork backing to wall cladding; windpostsÌý295 m2 @£25
Windows and external doors89 70024.242.58
Aluminium-framed; thermally broken windows; sealed double-glazed units with body tinted outer pane; polyester powder coatingÌý235 m2 @£300
Aluminium-framed shopfront; sealed double-glazed units with body-tinted outer pane; polyester powder coating; 2 nr entrance door sets; ironmongeryÌý20 m2 @£600
Aluminium double doors and frames; powder-coated; vision panels; ironmongeryÌý6 nr @£1,200
Internal walls and partitions151 10040.844.35
Blockwork partitions; 140 mm average thicknessÌý1500 m2 @£22
Metal stud partitions; two layers wall board each side; insulationÌý720 m2 @£35
Aluminium framed glazed partition; single-glazed units with toughened safety glass; manifestation markingÌý265 m2 @£280
Extra for sealed double-glazed units to pool areaÌý165 m2 @£50
Toilet cubicle partitions Ìý13 nr @£650
Melamine-faced solid laminate access ductingÌý20 m @£100
Internal doors71 50019.322.06
Flush doors; fire-rated; solid core laminate/veneer-faced; hardwood frames; decorations; ironmongery; completeÌý60 nr @£750
Flush doors; non-fire-rated; solid-core laminate/veneer-faced; hardwood frames; decorations; irnomongery; completeÌý30 nr @£650
Extra over aluminium-framed glazed partitions for doors and frames; ironmongery; complete Ìý7 nr @£1,000
Wall finishes68 30018.461.96
Ceramic tiles; to blockwork or plasterboardÌý700 m2 @£45
Extra for sand cement backing to ceramic tiles; to blockworkÌý535 m2 @£8
13 mm two-coat lightweight plaster; two coats emulsion paint; to blockworkÌý1960 m2 @£10
Two coats emulsion paint; to blockworkÌý1130 m2 @£3
Extra for water resistant paint finish to pool hallÌý250 m2 @£2
Skim coat and two coats emulsion paint to plasterboardÌý410 m2 @£5
Waterproof render and mosaic tiles to pool tank sidesÌý100 m2 @£70
Floor finishes190 30051.435.47
Sand cement screed; average 50 mm thickÌý2700 m2 @£8
Heavy-duty carpet tilesÌý1900 m2 @£35
Painted hardwood skirtingÌý700 m @£10
Timber strip flooring; to reception and bar etc; including skirtingsÌý190 m2 @£55
Semi-sprung beech strip flooring to aerobics room; including skirtingsÌý100 m2 @£65
Ceramic tiles to dry changing areas; including ceramic coved skirtingÌý150 m2 @£50
Non-slip ceramic tiles to wet changing areas and pool surround; including ceramic coved skirtingÌý320 m2 @£65
Extra for edge tile and grating to pool perimeterÌý75 m @£110
Allowance for drainage gullies and gratings to wet change areasÌýItem @£2,000
Waterproof render and mosaic tiles to pool tank base; including lane markings etcÌý310 m2 @£75
Granolithic to plant rooms; skirtingÌý510 m2 @£25
Mats and matwells ÌýItem @£5,000
Ceiling finishes69 50018.782
Acoustic sof lining to pool and gymÌý1750 m2 @£20
Suspended ceilings; mineral-fibre tiles; lay in grid; generallyÌý1270 m2 @£25
Extra over suspended ceilings for moisture-resistant tiles to changing areasÌý440 m2 @£5
Extra over suspended ceilings for acoustic tiles to aerobic roomÌý100 m2 @£5
Furniture and fittings289 60078.278.33
(Excluding allowances for gymnasium equipment, loose furniture, catering equipment, loose office furniture, fittings and equipment, music and TV installations)ÌýÌýÌý
Reception desk; turnstile entry controlÌýItem @£18 000
Bar counter and back bar units; roller grillesÌýItem @£25 000
Vanitory units; mirrors; fittings etc to changing areasÌýItem @£20 000
Benches to changing areasÌýItem @£5,000
LockersÌý400 nr @£200
Composite safety mirrors to exercise areasÌý150 m2 @£220
Ballet barre; to aerobics studioÌý12 m @£300
Allowance for signage, banners, graphics etc to exercise, pool and circulation areasÌýItem @£50 000
Allowance for supervisor's workstations; noticboards etc, to exercise areasÌýItem @£10 000
Allowance for fittings to crecheÌýItem @£10 000
Allowance for fixed furniture, noticeboards etc to office areasÌýItem @£10 000
Allowance for fittings to pool; steps; pool cover; skimmers; pacer clocks etc ÌýItem @£20 000
Allowance for internal plantingÌýItem @£5,000
Sanitary fittings36 4009.841.05
WCs, urinals, washhand basins; generallyÌý32 nr @£300
Extra for fittings for disabled WCsÌý2 nr @£100
Showers; cabinets, trays, fittingsÌý24 nr @£1,000
Cleaners sinksÌý3 nr @£350
Drinking water fountainÌý6 nr @£250
Disposal installations22 0005.950.63
Rainwater disposal; cast iron downpipes and fittingsÌý3700 m2 @£2.50
Waste, soil and vent installation; uPVC pipework and fittingsÌý73 nr @£175
Water installations34 8009.411
Hot and cold water service; calorifiers; hot and cold water storage; distribution to WCs, changing areas, water fountains etcÌý116 nr @£300
Space heating and air treatment435 200117.6212.52
Gas installation ÌýItem @£10 000
Low-temperature hot-water heating; boiler plant serving swimming pool and space heating; flues; pumps and valves; distribution within plant rooms; insulationÌý3700 m2 @£20
Chilled water installation; chiller; pressurisation unit; pumps and valves; distribution within plant rooms; insulation and trace heatingÌý3700 m2 @£10
Supply and extract ventilation to gym; air-handling unit with heating and cooling batteries; high-level, low-velocity ductwork; diffusersÌý1250 m2 @£65
Supply and extract ventilation to pool; air-handling unit with heating battery and heat recovery; high-level, low-velocity ductwork; diffusersÌý480 m2 @£90
Supply and extract ventilation; heating and comfort cooling to cellular spaces; air-handling units with heating and cooling batteries; ductwork; insulation; grilles and diffusersÌý1270 m2 @£110
Extra for changing room and toilet extract installation; allowance for steam room extractÌýItem @£25 000
Allowance for kitchen extract installationÌýItem @£15 000
Plant room ventilation; allowance for chemical extractÌýItem @£10 000
Electrical installations245 80066.437.07
Mains and sub-mains installation ÌýItem @£50 000
Small power distributionÌý3700 m2 @£15
Lighting and luminaires to fitness areaÌý1250 m2 @£30
Lighting and moisture resistant luminaires to pool hallÌý480 m2 @£25
Lighting and luminaires to aerobics and ancillary spacesÌý1780 m2 @£35
Emergency lighting installationÌý3700 m2 @£5
Power to mechanical servicesÌýItem @ £10 000
Lift installations18 0004.860.52
Five-person, 430 kg hydraulic lift serving 2 nr floors; 0.3 m/sÌýItem @ £18 000
Protective installations9 3002.510.27
Lightning protectionÌý3700 m2 @£1.50
Earthing and bondingÌý3700 m2 @£1
Communications installations127 00034.323.65
Fire and smoke detection and alarm systemÌý3700 m2 @£15
Public address system Ìý3700 m2 @£5
TV installation; central aerial, wireways, points and wall mounting brackets (monitors excluded)ÌýItem @£10 000
Intruder detection Ìý3700 m2 @£1.50
Access controlÌýItem @£5,000
CCTV system; 10 nr camerasÌýItem @£25 000
Wireways for telephones and dataÌý3700 m2 @£2
Special installations152 50041.224.39
ºÚ¶´ÉçÇø management systemÌý3700 m2 @£15
Pool filtration system; chlorine basedÌýItem @£55 000
Steam rooms (2 nr)ÌýItem @£30 000
Saunas (2 nr)ÌýItem @£12 000
Builder's work in connection54 00014.591.55
Forming holes, chases etc: allow 5%ÌýItem @£54 000
Preliminaries and contingencies453 000122.4313.03
Contractor's overheads, site establishment and site supervision, excluding design fees; allow 10%ÌýItem @£302 000
Contingency sum: allow 5%ÌýItem @£151 000
Total construction cost - building only3 476 900939.69100
Regional variations
The cost breakdown is based on a project in the South-east and should be adjusted by the following location factors for schemes in other regions.
Inner London1.1
Outer London1.04
South-west 0.95
East Midlands0.93
West Midlands0.95
East Anglia0.95
Yorkshire and Humberside0.93
North-west 0.98
North0.93
Scotland0.96
Wales0.94
Northern Ireland0.82
Alternative element specifications
ÌýNet extra cost/saving £/m2 gfa
RoofÌý
Roof cladding; colour-coated galvanised profile steel sheet; mineral fibre insulation; coted liner sheet; including allowances for ridge, verges, eaves and gutters - 2950 m2 : £48-14.5
Roof cladding; standing seam aluminium with nautral finish; insulatino; vapour barrier; colour-coated liner sheet; accessories - 2950 m2 @£7510.36
Additional cost of rooflights; polycarbonate; including forming and trimming opening; flashings etc - 150 m2 @ £25011.7
Additional cost of rooflights; aluminium framed double glazed units; including forming and trimming opening; flashings etc - 150 m2 @ £35016.39
External walls, windows and doorsÌý
Wall cladding; colour coated galvanised profiled steel sheet; mineral fibre insulation; coated liner sheet; flashings - 295 m2 @ £35-2.3
Wall cladding; colour coated aluminium composite panel; flashings - 295 m2 @ £150+8.29q
Cavity walling; facing brickwork (PC sum = £300/£1000); cavity, insulation; 140 mm blockwork inner leaf; windposts etc - 740 m2 @ £80-1.16
FinishesÌý
Non-sprung timber strip flooring to gymnasia; concrete sealer to floor void - 1250 m2 @ £60 9.76
Mondoramaflex flooring to gymnasia - 1250 m2 @ £6812.88
Omission of acoustic soffit lining to pool and gym - 1750 m2 @ £25-13.66
Mechanical services installationÌý
Supply and extract ventilation, heating and comfort cooling to cellualr spaces; four-pipe fan-coil installation - 1270 m2 @ £18029.13