Despite local authorities struggling with budget cuts in recent years, there has been a steady stream of new swimming pools being opened. But are good design and quality environments being sacrificed, asks Mike Hall, sports partner at FaulknerBrowns Architects
By Mike Hall | Published in Sports Management 2014 issue 3
Of the many casualties of the recession, there is no doubt that the skill- and resource-base of local authority leisure departments have been severely affected.
Despite this, I was pleasantly surprised to see recent figures indicating that the number of new local authority swimming pools coming on stream has been steadily increasing over the last eight years, despite the recession. There were 14 new facilities completed last year, although there were steady declines in the education and commercial sectors.
These completed pools have been procured through a variety of frameworks and public/private sector initiatives. One of the key drivers, however, remains the desire for local authorities to reduce and, indeed, where possible, to remove the running cost deficit associated with leisure facilities from the books altogether. In the light of the diminished local authority skill base, there's a real concern that these facilities may become involved in a race to the bottom, without checks, balances and quality of thinking across all aspects of procurement and design.
Looking forward, we may see some of the skills and resource challenges being addressed by cities and regions aggregating the way new facilities are procured and bundling operational contracts into a larger critical mass with associated economies of scale. The quality of dialogue and debate across the continuum of design, build and operate is, however, still pretty poor. There also remain outdated preconceptions about the benefits good design can bring to the process.
Our collective goal as architects is to produce quality environments that engage people and encourage a healthy lifestyle. To achieve success, a strong social agenda needs to go hand in hand with efficiency, flexibility and cost-effectiveness.
One recent initiative is the resurrection of the RIBA Client Forum in the Sports and Leisure sector. The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland set a strong example with an excellent sporting component to its recent annual conference. While the Client Forum has got off to a slow start, it's an opportunity to engage clients and designers with topical issues. It'd be good to see more of these sessions integrated into sports seminars, conferences and so on. There are reasons to be positive about the upward trend of new facilities. However, the debate on the level of design needs to move forward too.
Premium London health club, KX Chelsea, will imminently unveil its most significant
redevelopment since its launch in 2002 to create an integrated wellness model combining
training, recovery and relaxation.
Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth, on the northeast coast of Saint Barthélemy in the French
West Indies, is offering a programme of ocean-inspired yoga classes between 8-14 June to
celebrate Global Wellness Day (GWD).
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package
that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi, in Malaysia, has revealed a schedule for Global Wellness Day
(GWD) that includes guided rainforest walks, mindful movement and guided coastal meditation
experiences.
Longevitix, a clinical platform for preventive and longevity medicine, has launched its AI-
powered intelligence system to help physicians deliver continuous, personalised longevity-
focused care at scale.
Atmantan Wellness Centre, an integrative wellness destination in Mulshi, near Pune in India, is
expanding its portfolio by adding a new centre in Hyderabad that will launch between 2028 and
2029.
A recent survey by the UK Spa Association (UKSA) into the industry’s approach to cancer care
has revealed that almost half of participating respondents (46 per cent) are unaware that
cancer is a disability and guests with a cancer diagnosis must be given
Mexican operator, Solmar Hotels and Resorts, is hosting a series of events in celebration of
Global Wellness Day, including a Temazcal ceremony at its Playa Grande Resort and Spa in Los
Cabos.
Mandarin Oriental has announced a standalone residence brand, Mansions, which will debut at
Emirates Palace, Mandarin Oriental Mansions, Abu Dhabi, in 2029.
