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Typical Design Criteria for Sports Facilities
FacilityPlan m2Depth mHeight mTemperature air (water)Lighting luxNotes
WETÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Leisure Pool335 pwa0-2930 (29)200-300Ratio of pool water area (pwa) to gross floor area (gfa) 1:4.6. Maximum floor gradient 1:15 to depth of 1.7m. 9m high for internal slides
Traditional 25m pool25 x 1301-Feb628 (27)200-300Pwa to gfa ratio 1:3.7. Typical density 1 person/2.5m2 (pwa)
Learning pool10 x 50.6-0.9430 (29)200-300Recommended sizes: 13, 16.7, or 20 x 7.5m
DRYÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Medium sports hall (1000 - 2000 m237 x 33 (eight badminton courts) -- 7.6 (L)14-18300 (L)Minimum heights and lighting levels vary for leisure (L), club/county (C), and national/international competition (N) standards. Basketball court 26 ± 2 x 14 ± 1m. Large storage area required
ÌýÌý-- 9.1 (C)20 for500 (C)Ìý
ÌýÌý-- 9.1 (N)social use750 (N)Ìý
Ancillary hall (bowls)40 x 30 (five greens)-718-20300 (L)Greens 36.5 x 4.57 m with roll-down carpets. Hall also used roller skating
ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý500 (C)Ìý
ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý500 (N)Ìý
Squash courts187-5.6414-18500-750Clubs base use on 100-125 members per court. Each court is 9.75 x 6.4m
Health suite (sauna/spa etc) 29 x 10-2.728-30150Separate extract system may be required for sunbeds
Fitness suite (gymnasium / weights)14 x 10-2.7Dec-18500Typical weight training area is 15 x 7.5m. Eight to 10 air changes an hour essential
Changing / toilet areas17 x 12 + 8 x 7-2.720-22 (dry)150Changing facilities based on: court use x 2 for overlapping changing; ancillary halls, 1 per 5-10m2 x 2 for overlap; other activity rooms, 1 per 5m2 x 2 for overlap; traditional pools, 1 per 8m2 pwa; leisure pool, 1 per 6m2 pwa; showers, 1 per 7 changing places; benches, 500mm per changing place; WCs and urinals, 1 per 7 (dry) or 1 per 10 (wet) persons; handbasins, 1 per 15 persons
ÌýÌýÌýÌý22-25 (wet)ÌýÌý
Net to gross areas for different sports facilities
FacilitySports areaSurround areaChanging/ toiletsStorage / plantCirculation / ancillaryTotal
Ìým2%m2%m2%m2%m2%m2%
Leisure pool335 pwa21.744528.81157.5255 + 100*23100 + 195*19.11545100
Traditional 25m pool325 pwa26.629023.7867177 + 100*22.656 + 190*20.11224100
Learning pool50 pwa30.17746.42917.5106--166100
Sports hall6543356028.220010.1166 + 120*14.420 + 265*16.11710100
Bowls hall8384925615764.5140 + 125*15.5150 + 125*25.3304100
Squash courts (3 nr)18761.520 (viewing)6.6--206.653 + 24*25.3304100
Health / fitness44077.7--244.2366.430 + 36*11.7566100
Totals282937371648225307.1124916.7124416.67500100
*General administration, plant and reception areas have been allocated to specific facility areas to make the facility cost breakdown table easier to understand by grouping specific facilities together.
pwa = pool water area
Cost model
Ìýelement cost (£)£/³¾2 gifa% of total cost
LEISURE POOL 1250m2ÌýÌýÌý
Substructure177 5001429.16
Pad foundations with ground beams and reinforced concrete slab on good ground Ìý1125 m2 @£130
Sunken plant room Ìý125 m2 @£130
Frame175 0001409.03
Portal steel frame 25m span over pool areas including protection and cladding rails Ìý1125 m2 @£120
Structural steel support for water slides Ìýallow£40 000
Upper floors5 5004.40.8
Aluminium perforated intermediate floor decking in plant roomÌý50 m2 @£110
High-level spectators' gallery included elsewhereÌý500 m2 @£5
Roof120 10096.086.2
Rooflight over poolÌý16 m2 @£475
High-performance insulated composite metal roof claddingÌý1250 m2 @£100
Stairs25 000201.29
Access stair in pool for water ride startsÌý1 nr @£20 000
SUndry plant stairs and ladders, Ìýallow£5,000
External walls30 000241.55
Ibstock facing bricks and blockwork cavity wall to 3m including brick and block specialsÌý200 m2 @£70
High-performance insulated composite metal wall cladding above 3mÌý400 m2 @£40
Windows and external doors20 000161.03
Glazed aluminium curtain walling/windowsÌý38 m2 @£275
Powder-coated aluminium glazed screens and doorsÌý10 m2 @£500
Metal door sets (2 nr double; 1 nr single)Ìýallow£4,550
Internal walls and partitions29 80023.841.54
Block internal wallsÌý400 m2 @£25
Gyproc jumbo partition Ìý10 m2 @£60
Powder-coated aluminium single-glazed screensÌý6 m2 @£200
Powder-coated aluminium glazed half-hour fire-resistant screensÌý45 m2 @£400
Balustrades to galleries included elsewhereÌýjkl;jj;j
WC cubicles etc are integrated units included with sanitary fittingsÌýj;jj;jk
Internal doors18 20014.560.94
Leaderflush door sets with laminated plastic veneered doors and Acrovyn finished linings Ìý12 nr @£650
Powder-coated aluminium glazed half-hour fire-resistant doors/screensÌý20 m2 @£520
Wall finishes73 40058.723.79
Lightweight plaster Ìý200 m2 @£6
Insulated metal liner sheetÌý800 m2 @£25
Waterproof render to pool areasÌý300 m2 @£20
Wall render elsewhereÌý580 m2 @£5
Emulsion paint Ìý200 m2 @£2
Portaflek paint to change areasÌý180 m2 @£5
Ceramic tiles to straight and curved pool sides etcÌý700 m2 @£60
Floor finishes97 15077.725.01
Ceramic tiles and skirtings to floors, steps etcÌý1110 m2 @£70
Two coats of epoxy paint on floors in plant rooms etcÌý140 m2 @£5
Screeds and movement jointsÌý1250 m2 @£15
Fittings and furnishings223 500178.811.54
Water slides installationsÌýallow£135 000
LockersÌý250 nr @£110
Changing cubicles Ìý20 nr @£1,600
Pool hall fittingsÌýallow£14 000
Internal planting (artificial)Ìýallow£15 000
Services10 2508.20.53
Sanitary appliances Ìýk;l'kjk'k'
Twyfords sanitaryware with Spectrum 2000 integrated plumbing system panels and cubicles; 10 nr wash-hand basins in vanity units; 2 nr cleaners' sinks; 1 nr disposal sink; 2 nr urinal bowls; 9 nr WC suites and miscellaneous fittingsÌý454465444
Services equipment 250020.13
6 nr catering sinks for kitchen areaÌýallow£2,500
Disposal installations22 500181.16
Aluminium rainwater pipes; plastic above-ground drainage; clayware and cast iron below-ground drainage; perforated plastic land drainage ring around pool areas basement tankÌý1250 m2 @£18
Water installations25 000201.29
Hot and cold domestic water installationÌý1250 m2 @£20
Heat source50 000402.58
4 nr stacked pairs of gas-fired boilers with flues, pumps and controlsÌý1250 m2 @£40
Space heating and air treatment200 00016010.32
Air-handling units for pool area, management suite, wet changing area etc, ductwork and insulation; grilles, diffusers and attenuatorsÌý1250 m2 @£160
Electrical installations81 250654.19
LV distribution and power including cabletray and trunkingÌý1250 m2 @£30
Electric lighting and luminairesÌý1250 m2 @£35
Gas1 5001.20.08
Gas carcassing pipeworkÌý456456465465
Protective installations7 50060.39
Fire alarm installationÌý1250 m2 @£5
Lighting protection systemÌý1250 m2 @£1
Communication installations14 35011.480.74
Telephone and conduit/trunking installationÌý1250 m2 @£1
Public address systemÌý1250 m2 @£8
Security system Ìý1250 m2 @£3
Special installations260 00020813.42
Two filter filtration ozone water treatmentÌýallow£195 000
Wave machine Ìýallow£35 000
Other water features including rapids channel, 3 base air geysers, bubble ring, spa jet system, 2 water cannon, beach geysers to beach and kiddies areas and pumping systems for water slidesÌýallow£30 000
Builders work in connection with services15 000120.78
Preliminaries and contingencies252 50020213.03
Contractor's management and staff, site accommodation and other prelminary itemsÌýallow10%
Design and contingency allowanceÌýsay5%
Total for leisure pool1 937 5001 550.00 100
ÌýÌýÌýÌý
Ìýelement cost (£)£/³¾2 gifa% of total cost
SPORTS HALL 1400 m2ÌýÌýÌý
(excluding adjoining changing/toilet facilities)ÌýÌýÌý
Substructure91 0006511.82
Pad foundations with ground beams and reinforced concrete category 1 levelled slab on good groundÌý1400 m2 @£65
ÌýÌýÌýÌý
Frame159 125113.6620.67
Structural steel frame with roof trussesÌý1400 m2 @£80
One-hour intumescent fire protection on steelworkÌý1450 m2 @£32.50
Upper floors---
First-floor-level spectators' gallery included elsewhereÌý7 900 m2 @£3.50
Roof98 0007012.73
Insulated composite metal roofcladdingÌý1400 m2 @£70
External walls42 70030.55.55
Ibstock facing bricks and blockwork cavity wall to 3 m including brick and block specials Ìý140 m2 @£65
Insulated composite metal wall cladding and blockwork above 3mÌý560 m2 @£60
Windows and external doors7 00050.91
External high-level ventilation grillesÌý20 m2 @£200
Metal door sets (2 nr double)Ìýallow£3,000
Internal walls and partitions25 00017.863.25
Block internal wallsÌý1000 m2 @£25
Internal doors20 70014.782.69
Leaderflush one-hour fire-resistant double door sets with laminated plastice veneered doors and Acrovyn finished liningsÌý4 nr @£1,300
Ditto - as sliding/folding doors to storage areaÌý2 nr @£2,000
Metal door set to delivery areaÌýallow£4,000
Roller shutter doors to storage areaÌý25 m2 @£300
Wall finishes3 9002.780.5
Eggshell paint to fair-faced blockÌý1300 m2 @£3
Floor finishes49 55035.396.43
Sports hall semi-sprung maple floor and three coats of sealÌý1220 m2 @£40
Two coats of epoxy paint on floors in plant rooms etcÌý150 m2 @£5
Fittings and furnishings40 74029.15.29
Bleacher seating benches (5 units)Ìý334 m @£110
Signage, lines and sundriesÌýallow£4,000
Sanitary appliances and water installations---
See facility cost breakdown for adjoining 200m2 corridor changing rooms and toilet areaÌýItem @£767 000
Disposal installations7 00050.91
Aluminium rainwater pipesÌý1400 m2 @£5
Heat source20 00014.292.6
3 nr shared and stacked gas-fired boilers with flues, pumps and controls Ìýallow£20 000
Space heating and air treatment14 000101.82
8 nr radiant gas heaters in sports hallÌý1400 m2 @£10
Electrical installations63 000458.18
LV distribution and power including cable tray and trunkingÌý1400 m2 @£20
Electric lighting and luminairesÌý1400 m2 @£25
Protective installations7 4855.350.97
Fire alarm installationÌý1400 m2 @£4.35
Lightning protection systemÌý1400 m2 @£1
Communication installations13 3009.51.73
Telephone and conduit/trunking installationÌý1400 m2 @£0.50
Public address systemÌý1400 m2 @£7
Security system Ìý1400 m2 @£2
Builders' work in connection with services7 5005.360.97
Preliminaries and contingencies100 00071.4312.98
PreliminariesÌýallow10%
Design and contingency allowanceÌýsay5%
Subtotal for sports hall770 000550100
Adjoining toilet and changing facilities190 000950-
Total for sports hall (1600 m2 )960 000600-
ÌýÌýÌýÌý
Total for whole scheme (see facility cost breakdown)6 600 000880-
ÌýÌýÌýÌý
External works (equivalent to plus 8.6%)770 000550100
ÌýÌýÌýÌý
Site works247 50033-
Footpaths and pavings, coated macadam, Marshall Keyblocks and pastel paving slabs Ìý1000 m2 @£35
Car parks and road areas, coated macadam and Marshall Keyblocks cost Ìý6500 m2 @£25
Landscaping, seeding, turfing and plantingÌýallow£50 000
Drainage165 00022-
Internal drainage Ìý7500 m2 @£17.50
Surface water drainage to paved areasÌý7500 m2 @£4.50
External services75 00010-
Gas water and electricity mains and trenches for services, external lighting installations including trenches. External lighting installations including trenchesÌýallow£75 000
Minor building works7 5001-
Electricity substation and gas meter housingÌýallow£7,500
Preliminaries and contingencies75 00010-
ÌýÌýÌýÌý
TOTAL OVERALL CONSTRUCTION COST7 170 000956-
Alternative element specifications
ÌýNet extra / (saving) £/³¾2 gifa
Combined reinforced concrete basement tank around three pools to spread load over ground - 2025 m2 @ £165-18515-30
Reinforced concrete ring beams and cfa piles with prestressed concrete slab over poor ground to sports and bowl halls - 2760 m2 @ £80-100Oct-30
Frame and roofÌý
Centrally masted pitched structural steel frame over pool areas incorporating cellular roof rafters and high-performance insulated composite roof cladding (partially offset by reduced external wall height) - 2025 m2 @ £250-27545-65
External wallsÌý
Pilkington Planar double-glazed curtain walling system to from foyer wall - 160 m2 @ £300-35065-80
Floor finishesÌý
Green roll-up bowls carpet including lightweight attached backing - 1100 m2 @ £15-20(2-5)
Green needlepunch bowls carpet including underlay, markings and fixing - 1100 m2 @ £20-25-
2 mm slip-resistant vinyl cushioned flooring with heat welded joint to changing rooms - 260m2 @ £15-20(40-45)
6.2 mm vinyl multipurpose flooring, toally adhered with heat welded joints for badminton use - 1220 m2 @ £25-30(8-13)
6 mm embossed and spike-resistant vinyl sheet with heat welded joints for cricket or tennis - 1220 m2 @ £30-35(4-8)
Semi-sprung Junkers beech strip flooring and 3 coats of seal - 1220 m2 @ £37-42(3)-2
10 mm Granwood flooring and 3 coats of seal - 1220 m2 @ £40-450-4
First-grade semi-sprung maple flooring to squash courts - 208 m2 @ £42-45-
10 mm Granwood semi-sprung flooring and 3 coats of seal - 1220 m2 @ £50-5508-Dec
Fully sprung Junkers prime beech strip flooring and 3 coats of seal - 1220 m2 @ £50-5508-Dec
14 mm Purlastic SP spike-resistant seamless polyurethane flooring on rubber underlay - overally thickness 70 mm - 1220 m2 @ £55-65Dec-20
Polydor full impact absorbing aerobatic vinyl, polyurethane and foam floor - overall thickness 40 mm - 1220 m2 @ £65-7020-30
Special installationsÌý
Cholorine water treatment to 25 x 13 m traditional pool - allow £120 000 - 130 000-
Ozone water treatment to 25 x 13 m traditional pool - allow £180 000 - 200 00055-75
Stand-alone ozone water treatment to health suite spa - allow £50 000-
7.5 m long x 13 mm thick movable floor for traditional pool including hydraulics, electrics etc - allow £120 000 - 130 000110-120
13 m telescopic retractable boom to separate movable and rigid floor swimming areas, allow £60 000 - 65 00055-60
Facility areas costs
ÌýLeisure pool inc. changing25m trad plus learner pool inc. changingSports hall no changingAdjacent and other toilet / changingGallery walkway / viewing areasBowls hall including changingSquash courts (3 nr)Health suite - sauna and spaGym / weight training / high techReception / adminCommon plant
Ìý(1250 m2)(1100 m2)(1400 m2 )(260 m2)(290 m2)(1460 m2)(260 m2)(260 m2)(140 m2)(590 m2)(500 m2)
Ìý£/³¾2 £/³¾2 £/³¾2 £/³¾2 £/³¾2 £/³¾2 £/³¾2 £/³¾2 £/³¾2 £/³¾2 £/³¾2
SubstructureÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Group elemental total1421106546-6560--44-
SuperstructureÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Frame140100113.6650125755050525060
Upper floors4.45-5302-2025530
Roof96.0810070455758606060753
Stairs202--40----3124
External walls242830.515-305330720-
Windows and external doors 1625510-6711433-
Internal walls and partitions23.841017.862810864036266717
Internal doors14.56814.78252291346287820
Group elemental total338.88278251.8178382186223253202359154
Internal finishesÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Wall finishes58.72602.7870722551281436-
Floor finishes77.727535.39605223308830705
Ceiling finishes-8-10-1-343234-
Group elemental total136.4414338.17140594685250761405
Fittings and furnishingsÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Group elemental total178.88029.1130-2522307897-
ServicesÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý
Sanitary appliances8.210-80-10-75-43-
Services equipment2--------4-
Disposal installations1818550-2-40-5-
Water installations2015-70-5-60-14-
Heat source404014.298-882479-
Space heating and air treatment160160107560505710070100-
Electrical installations656645301625234033558
Gas installations1.22-------3-
Lift installations---------45-
Protective installations665.35--1-----
Communication installations11.48129.56-8812710-
Special installations208180--4--120---
Builders' work in connection with services12105.3613-4413577
Group elemental total551.8851994.53328011310048412229515
BUILDING SUBTOTAL1 348.001 130.00478.578265214354701 217.00478935174
Preliminaries - allow 10% 134.711347.6282.65243.547122489417
Design and contingency - allow 5%67.35723.8141.42721.5236124469
ºÚ¶´ÉçÇø cost (excluding external works) 1 550.001 300.005509506005005401 400.005501 075.00200
Functional unit335 m2 pwa*375 m2 pwa*654 m2 net--838 m2 net187 m2 net----
Functional unit cost £ 5 782.003 813.001 468.00--871750----
Sports equipment142238--60.5120700--
Kitchen and catering equipment 40--------80-
Furniture and general equipment666--6666200-
Cleaning equipment22222222222
Maintenance equipment1.51.51.51.51.51.51.51.51.51.51.5
ºÚ¶´ÉçÇø cost (separate buildings) £1 650.001 400.00650--525575----
AVERAGE COST RANGE £/³¾21000 - 1800900 - 1600400 - 800250 - 1800500- 700300-0600430 - 6501100 - 1500300 - 0800900 - 1100200 - 400
RANGE OF AREAS m21000 - 3500730 - 23001000 - 1900--1300 - 3500160 - 1760-150 - 2400--
AVERAGE AREA m2170014001400--2100600-780--
*pwa = pool water area
Regional variations
All costs in this article are based on a scheme in the South-East and should be adjusted by the following location factors for schemes in other regions:
Inner London 1.2
Outer London 1.06
East Anglia 0.98
East Midlands0.96
Northern0.98
Northern Ireland 0.84
North-west1.02
Scotland1.04
South-east1
South-west0.98
Wales0.96
Yorkshire and Humberside0.98