Morgan Sindall Construction’s Essex business has successfully delivered a swimming pool extension at Eversley Leisure Centre, meeting the community’s demand for swimming facilities.

Completed works have seen the delivery of an 864 sq ft extension to the Basildon-based leisure centre and feeds into a wider programme of mainly education projects in the Essex region to a value of £400 million.

The new leisure centre includes a four-lane, 25 metre pool which boasts impressive sustainability credentials. It has successfully achieved an EPC A rating, making it one of only a few in the UK to achieve this. The Morgan Sindall team installed a range of photovoltaic panels and solar thermal panels on the roof of the new structure, helping to support the buildings electric and hot water demands. 

During the project, Morgan Sindall successfully saved 410 tonnes of carbon, which is the equivalent to heating 151 homes in the UK for a year. Morgan Sindall’s carbon reduction tool CarboniCa was utilised, which enables project teams and clients to visualise and monitor how design decisions will impact carbon output. 

As well as the swimming pool, the project has delivered an increase in 50 spaces to the external car park. 

Basildon Council instigated the project as an increasing population in the Pitsea area meant there was a requirement from residents for swimming pool facilities. The brand new swimming pool at Eversley Leisure Centre will be for the benefit of the nearby schools but it will also be open for the local community to use.

The fully inclusive facility enables the expansion of community-led programmes, including lessons for all ages, senior swimming, disability sessions and aqua classes.

This is the latest project in a long-running partnership between Morgan Sindall and Basildon Council. Not only has the team previously delivered the £500,000 expansion at Eversley Leisure Centre to introduce a new gymnastic centre, but was behind the £38 million Basildon Sporting Village, the largest sports project in the Thames Gateway regeneration scheme. 

Dale Smith, Head of Operations at Morgan Sindall Construction’s Essex business, said: “Leisure centres within our towns and cities play an important role in bringing together our communities, whilst also promoting healthy lifestyle choices. Given the growing residential offering in Pitsea and the wider Basildon area, the Morgan Sindall Construction team is delighted to have delivered this much needed, high quality, leisure centre that people can genuinely look forward to visiting. We can’t wait to see people enjoying the space, as I am sure it’ll become a key place for the local community!”  

Cllr Jeff Henry, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing, Leisure, Arts and Culture at Basildon Council, said: “The new pool has been a huge success since it opened at the end of last year. It’s fantastic to see local people embrace the new facilities and get active. I am grateful to Morgan Sindall Construction for their work building an inclusive and accessible new pool, and to Everyone Active for their ongoing support managing the centre. Together we have delivered a real asset for Pitsea and the surrounding area, which I know will be enjoyed for many years to come.”

Shaun Beagle, Area Contract Manager at leisure operator Everyone Active, which manages Eversley Leisure Centre in partnership with Basildon Borough Council, said: “We were thrilled to partner with Morgan Sindall in bringing this state-of-the-art facility to life. It’s an inclusive space that addresses the specific needs of the local community, fulfilling the demand for pool facilities in Pitsea and enhancing the wellbeing of our residents. Locals of all ages and abilities can embark on a journey towards a healthier, more active lifestyle, and the positive effects are already apparent. We look forward to witnessing its positive impact unfold over the months and years to come.”