Chard Leisure Centre

As the focal point of the site, the leisure centre opens out onto the newly developed Mill Yard, creating an active, safe and accessible public realm, drawing people to the area.

Positioning the gym and fitness studios on the first floor, meant that we could accommodate all leisure services whilst providing an abundance of outdoor space by creating a smaller building footprint.

The new leisure centre responds to the character of the site and local heritage, with the form taking reference from the surrounding saw tooth industrial buildings.

By selecting distinctive and vibrant red brick, we have echoed the materials of nearby listed buildings.

In the gym and fitness studios we have used large north facing roof lights which mimic the industrial buildings that had previously occupied the site. These fill the new building with an abundance of natural light whilst referencing Chard’s industrial heritage.

Large windows flood the pool hall with natural light, which as well as giving the space an open and welcoming feel, creates a direct visual connection with the community helping to promote an active lifestyle.

By including a red brick colonnade as part of the pool hall building we have created space for a community street market to take place on weekends, whilst providing shading to the highly glazed pool hall, reception and cafe area.

It was paramount that we delivered this leisure centre in a timely manner. Not only due to the urgent public need for these facilities, but we also needed to obtain planning permission in just 6 months. This was to enable the demolition of buildings that weren’t to be retained before bat roosting season began.

By undertaking extensive stakeholder engagement, we could deliver to this timescale. We held a launch event attended by 500 key stakeholders and members of the public, which confirmed to us which facilities would be welcomed and were needed.

The site has a notable past, with historic connections to the lace and aeronautical industry. Our design had to reflect the industrial character of its surroundings, as the site is part of a conservation area. We have carefully chosen a form, materials and colour palette, to retain the heritage of the space.

As part of our stakeholder engagement, we worked with Historic England throughout to help us understand the site’s storied history and produce a scheme that fits with and enriches the existing town.