PROJECT
AVONIEL LEISURECENTRE, BELFAST
OFFSITE CONSTRUCTION As with most current construction projects across Northern Ireland, the shortage in construction materials caused an issue, but a semi-modular approach mitigated some of the delay to the schedule of works. “A lot of construction was fabricated offsite,” said Donard. “For example, the terrace was precast in two sections and transported to site. This offsite solution definitely helped us in the current climate.” The redevelopment works spanned 14 months and included demolition, which took place throughout July and August 2020. Piling began the following month, with construction completed in September 2021. Heron Bros is delighted with the successful delivery of their fourth leisure transformation project for Belfast City Council and is already on site for their fifth job, the £17 million restoration project at the iconic Templemore Baths. This heritage project will preserve and enhance the surviving original features of this landmark building and extend its footprint to provide modern-day leisure and spa facilities.
leisure centres from the 80s and 90s into the modern day which would rival any from across Europe.” The new centre of excellence includes an Intermediate FIFA-standard 4G football pitch with a 250-seat covered spectating terrace, three covered and two uncovered 4G five-a-side pitches, an outdoor 4G seven-a-side pitch, multi- purpose rooms, conferencing spaces and changing areas. Specialist access control was installed to allow members to pre-purchase and pre- book a pitch online and scan a QR code to gain pitch entry through an automated turnstile. Despite being one of the smaller leisure projects carried out by Heron Bros, it did present its own unique challenges, as Project Manager, Donard Leonard, explained, “The demolition of the existing early-80s constructed Avoniel Leisure Centre required the removal of some challenging infrastructure such as the 25m concrete and steel reinforced swimming pool, not to mention substantial asbestos remediation. Also, as the site is bound on one side by the Connswater Greenway, we needed to maintain that public interface, so we erected permanent fencing to make it as smooth a connection as possible.”
PROJECTTEAM... Client: Belfast City Council Main Contractor: Heron Bros. Project Manager: AECOM Structural and architectural design team: McAdam M+E consultants: JCP Consulting Mechanical & Electrical Contractor: Dowds Group HOMEAND AWAY... Heron Bros.’ considerable experience in the leisure sector includes recent projects in Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Scotland andWales: • The £4.5mgrandstand at Kingspan Stadium, HQ for Ulster Rugby • The £13.4mAberavon Leisure and Fitness Centre, Port Talbot, Wales • Sport Ireland’s €55mNational Indoor Arena in Blanchardstown • The £8.2mCraigie Park Sports Development, South Ayrshire, Scotland
2 St Patricks St, Draperstown, Magherafelt BT45 7AL T: +44 (0)28 7962 8505 - E: info@heronbros.com www.heronbros.com
www.northernbuilder.co.uk
FOLLOW US ON:
NI BUILDER | 17
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online