Kier awarded £32.5m refurbishment of the Manchester Aquatics Centre

Kier has been appointed by Manchester City Council to deliver the first phase of the refurbishment of the Manchester Aquatics Centre. The works will help decarbonise and modernise the 2002 Commonwealth Games venue.

The project will focus on decarbonisation with the objective of supporting the council’s transition to becoming a zero-carbon city by 2038. Kier will deliver a combination of energy efficiency measures, including a full MEP replacement and the addition of a number of renewable energy generation works.

Two new air source heat pumps will be installed as part of the energy-saving works and together with the 1006 solar panels on the roof, this will achieve the 30% carbon reduction target set by the council. The 450kWh solar panels are complete with a battery storage capacity of 300kWh, which will store energy from the solar panel system during the day and allow the centre to use the solar energy well after the sun has gone in.

Following completion of the decarbonisation works, Kier will move on to the refurbishment and modernisation of the venue. The ground, first and second floors will be refurbished including replacing mechanical, electrical, and plumbing, pool filtration, movable floors, and booms in the pools as well as reconfiguring the changing room and gym spaces.

The refurbishment stage will be delivered on a phased basis over two and a half years to minimise disruption and ensure that access to the basement pool is available throughout the works. Kier has extensive experience in delivering projects in a live working environment and alongside the pool it will also keep the basement changing rooms, para gym, medical physio rooms, office room, lift, and accessible WC open.

The programme will be tightly managed so that Kier can decant site in the summer of 2023 when the venue plans to host the World Paralympics Swimming Championships.

Sean Fenner, regional director at Kier Construction North & Scotland, said: “Manchester City Council has ambitious objectives to reduce carbon emissions and we are delighted to be partnering with them in that aim through delivering essential decarbonisation works.

“Kier is committed to leaving lasting local legacies, and this project gives us the opportunity to give back to the communities we live and work in through the social value targets set across the duration of the refurbishment. These include procuring locally, with 55% of the project spend to be within the Manchester region, a 75% local labour charter, and a pledge to create 15 new jobs throughout the duration of the project.”

Councillor John Hacking, Executive Member for Skills, Employment and Leisure said: “This investment will improve and protect the future of the Manchester Aquatics Centre for years to come. The refurbishment and modernisation of the centre will be of the highest standards using green technologies to reduce its carbon footprint and is part of the city’s drive to cut carbon emissions and save on energy costs.”