View source for Sedbergh Sports and Leisure Facility, Bradford

==Article in [https://www.newsteelconstruction.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/digi/NSC_Nov18digi/pubData/source/NSC_Nov18digi.pdf#page=12 NSC November 2018]==
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'''Yorkshire gets fitness boost'''<br>
An economically-designed [[Braced_frames|steel-framed]] leisure centre is set to provide the local community in Bradford with modern sporting facilities. 

One of the more active [[Construction|construction]] sectors over the past decade or so has been [[Leisure_buildings|leisure]], spurred on by the fact that numerous local authorities are either upgrading their current facilities or building new state-of-the-art swimming and sports complexes. Examples of this work recently covered in New Steel Construction include new pools in [[Coventry_Water_Park_&_Leisure_Pool|Coventry (NSC March 2018)]] and [[Rhyl_waterpark_and_leisure_centre|Rhyl (NSC April 2018)]] as well as a leisure complex in [[Littlehampton_Leisure_Centre|Littlehampton (NSC May 2018)]].

These projects are usually built using a [[Braced_frames|steel-framed]] solution, as economically-constructed [[Leisure_buildings#Ability to span long distances|long, clear spans]] are needed to accommodate facilities such as swimming pools and indoor sports halls. Constructional steelwork also offers a relatively [[Leisure_buildings#Ease and speed of construction|quick construction programme]], while [[Leisure_buildings#Flexibility and adaptability|flexibility]] can also be built into the frame, whereby partition walls can be removed to allow reconfiguration of rooms and halls.

Another recent example from this sector is the Sedbergh Sports and Leisure Facility in Bradford, where Billington Structures, working on behalf of ISG, has recently completed the steel frame. The scheme is part of an ongoing investment programme by the council to replace outdated and inefficient [[Leisure_buildings|leisure facilities]], with modern, purpose-built amenities that better serve local communities and encourage greater participation in sports. The new high-specification two-storey leisure centre includes a 25m swimming pool, 12.5m learner pool with moveable floor, eight-court sports hall, 80-station fitness suite, two dance studios, staff facilities and café as well as outdoor pitches for both football and rugby.

The rectangular-shaped building is arranged with the two long span areas – sports hall and pool hall - at either end. These two zones are both single-storey elements, reaching the full height of the structure, and are separated by a two-storey spine that also extends along the front elevation. The two-storey area accommodates wet and dry changing facilities, with the gym and dance studios on the upper floor. In front of the two-storey zone, the building has a full-height reception area that runs the full length of the building. Beyond this, a series of feature 219mm-diameter [[Steel_construction_products#Structural hollow sections|CHS]] columns supports an exterior canopy, which creates a covered pedestrian walkway.
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Overall, the steel frame is based around an irregular [[Concept_design#Floor grids|grid pattern]] (varying between 4.7m and 5.7m spacings) as there are a multitude of uses to be accommodated, all of which require rooms and areas of differing sizes. [[Braced_frames#Vertical bracing|Cross bracing]], located in the building’s corners and within interior partitions,
provides the [[Concept_design#Structural options for stability|stability]]. “Most of the [[Braced_frames#Vertical bracing| bracing]] is out-of-view in the completed scheme, however, we do have some feature Macalloy [[Braced_frames#Vertical bracing|cross bracing]] which sits inside the gym’s large [[Steel-supported_glazed_facades_and_roofs|glazed wall]] that overlooks the site’s sports pitches,” says ISG Project Manager James Fryer.

Prior to the steelwork programme commencing, ISG had already begun its extensive groundworks, which included digging up 50,000m<sup>3</sup> of earth and then distributing it around the site. The plot was previously used as sports fields that were poorly drained, and frequently waterlogged. ISG is installing a new drainage system throughout the site and altering the terrain in order to create flat sports pitches on an area that previously sloped up to 8m from one end of the site to the other. The site has been lowered by approximately 6.5m to accommodate the leisure centre. All of the excavated material has remained on site and much of it has been relocated to the opposite end of the site to raise the plot’s lowest level.

Having installed pad foundations for the steel frame and dug out and concrete-lined the swimming pools, ISG was ready for the [[Construction#Steel erection|steelwork programme]] to kick-off. “The steelwork was completed on time and this has allowed us to get all of the follow-on trades started on time,” says Mr Fryer. “However, this is only part of the story as our earthmoving and groundworks programme have both carried on during this time and beyond.”

Billington used a number of [[Construction#Mobile cranes|mobile cranes]], up to 70t-capacity, for the [[Construction#Steel erection|steel erection]]. The largest steel elements were the 45m-long [[Trusses|trusses]] that span the sports hall. [[Fabrication#Handling and transportation|Brought to site]] in three sections, the [[Trusses|trusses]] were bolted into two parts on the ground (one third and two thirds) before being lifted into place by two cranes. Once they were [[Construction#Site bolting|bolted]] on to their respective columns, the central splice was completed while the cranes were holding the [[Trusses|truss]] sections in place.

Designed to complement its surroundings on the Sedbergh Playing Fields site, the 5,100m<sup>2</sup> building features a large expanse of [[Steel-supported_glazed_facades_and_roofs|glazing to its façade]], with [[Use_of_steel_in_cladding_systems#Solar_shading|solar shading]] panels and timber cladding elements, as well as a striking aluminium roof design that wraps around the structure. The project is scheduled for completion in summer 2019.

Summing up, ISG Regional Director Tim Harvey said: “This latest investment in community [[Leisure_buildings|leisure facilities]] underscores the importance Bradford District Council places on fitness and well-being across the region. Increasing participation in sporting activities is a key aim of the new centre, as well as creating a hub that becomes a focal point for the local community, and as a Bradford-based contractor this is a great aspiration for this influential project”.

==Value for money==
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The initial [[Design|steel design]] for the Sedbergh Leisure Centre was engineered by Furness Partnership, but ISG wanted its subcontracted steelwork contractor, Billington Structures, to do a [[Single_storey_industrial_buildings#Design_.26_Build|design and build]] on the scheme, in order to achieve a more cost-effective programme.

Working with the original designs, Billington conducted some value engineering, whereby all of the column locations, beam depths and spans were all fine-tuned, making the steelwork more cost-effective. “By rationalising the steel tonnage, there were less crane lifts to undertake and consequently the overall programme was quicker,” explains ISG Project Manager James Fryer.

Billington also supplied and installed the project’s [[Steel_construction_products#Decking for floors|metal decking]], two precast staircases, a feature steel staircase and [[Construction#Edge protection|easi-edge protection]] barriers. All of its on-site work was completed ahead of schedule.

{|class="wikitable" width="400"
|-
|'''Architect'''||DarntonB3
|-
|'''Structural Engineer'''||Furness Partnership
|-
|'''Steelwork Contractor'''||Billington Structures
|-
|'''Main Contractor'''||ISG
|-
|'''Main Client'''||City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council
|}

[[Category:Case studies - Leisure buildings]]