Speed of response, technical capability and reliability of service has seen Deeplas design, manufacture and deliver a largescale and fully glazed roofing solution for Bude Leisure Centre’s busy swimming pool.
Many local buildings were adversely affected by the storms that hit the southwest of the UK in the early part of 2022. These included popular community facilities such as Bude Leisure Centre which suffered extensive damage to its roofing structure thanks to the power of Storm Dudley.
The old, glazed conservatory roof which allowed light into the busy public swimming pool at the leisure centre was badly affected, with some steel panels blown off and dislodged and glazing areas significantly damaged. It was clear that a major repair project would be required to restore the roof and provide swimmers with a light and welcoming environment once again.
Following initial discussions between the main roofing contractor RG Johnson Construction Ltd and the centre management, Deeplas was contacted to get involved in the project.
Chris Burrows, Sales Director for Deeplas, explains: “Southwest based specialist roofing contractors, R G Johnson Ltd approached us to see if we could assist with advice and a potential solution for the swimming pool roof area. There were several options we could take for the refurbishment, but after inspection we strongly recommended the entire roof structure was replaced and not just the glazing. This recommendation was based on several factors including overall cost effectiveness, ongoing roof structure safety and Deeplas’ ability to provide a technically sound and aesthetically pleasing glazed roof solution within a tight timeframe.”
A primary consideration was the need to ensure the leisure centre’s swimming pool could be open and ready to receive swimmers in time for the main summer holiday period. Deeplas was able to assure the contractor and centre management that this would be possible and set out to design, manufacture, and deliver the large-glazed roofing solution to site for installation within just eight weeks of first becoming involved.
Chris continues: “We quickly conducted a site survey and undertook extensive structural calculations to create the final design. The large sizing of the roof space did present a challenge as the roof was 15.4m x 5.16m in size, but the technical team were able to devise a solution that would satisfy the expanse needed and could work with the existing supporting steel structure on which the glazed roof would sit.”
Working in collaboration with the contractor, the Deeplas design was able to accommodate cut modifications to the roof required to ensure it could fit seamlessly with the steel structure on which it would rest. The flexibility in the design and manufacturing process for the glazed units enabled this to be satisfied and not compromise the overall installation schedule.
The final specification included the glazed roof with blue solar reflective glass that has a self-cleaning coating. The panel structure was framed in white, whilst powder coated top caps were also included to ensure a complementary colour aesthetic for the new roof in its leisure centre setting.
When it came to service reliability, Deeplas ensured its role could enhance the overall success of the project and working closely with R G Johnson Construction Ltd were able to complete the complex project within two months.
Chris concludes: “At all times we were highly conscious of the looming completion deadlines to get the swimming pool reopened for the school summer holidays. The complete technical input, design and manufacturing process saw departments within Deeplas work in collaboration and we arranged direct delivery of the completed roof structure and glazing to site as we promised.”
Ralph Johnson from RG Johnson Construction Ltd, adds: “The solution, support, and delivery direct to site offered by Deeplas meant our installation team could meet our deadlines and the whole project was successfully completed. For a complex and large-scale roofing project of this type, it is testimony to the teamwork, technical expertise, and speed of response on offer at Deeplas.”
Bude Leisure Centre’s swimming pool is once again being enjoyed by the local community, crowned by an attractive and brand-new glazed roof through which light floods again.