The £1.15m refurbishment of the SpArC swimming pool transformed a 50-year-old community facility into a modern, accessible and sustainable aquatic venue. Delivered by Alliance Leisure on behalf of Shropshire Council, with Serco Leisure operating the facility and steering the project from inception to completion, the scheme included pool tank refurbishment, new filtration systems and accessibility improvements, securing the pool's long-term future while reducing costs.

The SpArC Pool refurbishment is far more than a construction project; it is the successful rescue and transformation of a vital rural community asset. This project demonstrates how technical excellence, community engagement and strategic investment can come together to secure the future of swimming provision for thousands of users. What makes this project particularly special is the combination of: Saving a 50-year-old pool that was approaching significant structural failure. Delivering major infrastructure upgrades while maintaining focus on accessibility and inclusivity. Achieving measurable operational savings of approximately £12,000 per year. Creating the capacity to increase participation by up to 30%. Supporting six local primary schools and the wider community. Combining council investment with substantial community fundraising support. Future-proofing the facility through modern plant systems and provision for a future pool cover installation. Demonstrating best practice collaboration between local authority, trust, community stakeholders and specialist leisure delivery partners. Above all, this project showcases how a technically complex refurbishment can deliver significant social value.

Pool Details Existing 20m, four-lane community swimming pool. Located within Bishop's Castle Leisure & Arts Centre (SpArC). Community, school and learn-to-swim facility serving rural south-west Shropshire Pool Tank Refurbishment Full inspection and refurbishment of the existing pool tank. Pool tank reprofiled to address deterioration. Installation of a durable waterproof pool lining system. New pool liner funded through local community fundraising. The original tank required continual repairs and was approaching the point of significant structural failure. Reprofiling and relining provided a cost-effective solution that extended asset life while delivering a modern watertight finish and reducing future maintenance requirements. New Filtration and Water Circulation System Complete replacement filtration system. New filtration plant equipment. New buried pipework. Replacement skimmers. New sumps. New water inlets. The existing system had reached the end of its operational life, resulting in reduced efficiency, increasing maintenance demands and affecting water circulation performance. The new system delivers improved water quality, reliability and operational efficiency while reducing lifecycle costs. Accessibility Improvements Easy-access pool steps. Handrails and guardrails. Reinstatement of pool hoist. Improved user entry and exit arrangements. To improve inclusivity, enhance user confidence and remove barriers for older adults, people with disabilities and less confident swimmers. Pool Fixtures and Fittings New lane rope anchors. New static water level rails. Renewal of associated fixtures and fittings. Why specified: To enhance operational reliability, support programming requirements and improve user experience. Future-Proofing Infrastructure Installation of structural bases for future pool cover system. This investment prepares the facility for further energy-saving measures and future operational efficiencies without requiring additional major construction works. Delivery Partners / Suppliers Client: Shropshire Council Delivery Lead: Alliance Leisure Principal Contractor: Universal Group Facilities Management Expertise: Bellrock Project Management: Greenwood Projects Procurement Route: UK Leisure Framework (owned and managed by Denbighshire Leisure Ltd) Structural Condition of the Pool Tank The existing pool tank required constant repairs and risked significant structural failure. Solution: The tank was comprehensively reprofiled and relined, creating a durable waterproof structure and avoiding the need for complete pool replacement. Ageing Filtration Infrastructure The filtration and circulation systems had reached end of life, risking reliability and increasing maintenance expenditure. Solution: A complete replacement of filtration plant, pipework and circulation infrastructure was undertaken, providing a modern, efficient and reliable system. Accessibility Barriers Traditional ladder access limited usability for some customer groups. Solution: New easy-access steps with handrails and guardrails were installed alongside the reinstated pool hoist, significantly improving accessibility and inclusivity. Rural Location and Specialist Contractor Availability Securing experienced leisure refurbishment contractors in a rural location presented procurement challenges. Solution: Using the UK Leisure Framework enabled the appointment of specialist leisure design and construction teams with proven experience delivering complex aquatic refurbishments. Operational Benefits Estimated annual operating cost reduction of approximately £12,000. Expected increase in participation levels of up to 30%. Improved water quality and circulation performance. Reduced maintenance liabilities. Greater accessibility and inclusivity. Extended asset lifecycle. Improved sustainability and long-term viability.

Serco Leisure