Stonehaven Leisure Centre Refurbishment

A transformative £1.4 million refurbishment of Stonehaven Leisure Centre that has revitalized this vital community facility into a modern, inclusive wellness destination. This comprehensive renovation project, driven by community-led participatory budgeting, has created an enhanced leisure experience that serves residents of Stonehaven and the wider Aberdeenshire region. The extensive refurbishment encompasses a state-of-the-art fitness suite, versatile studio space, renewed sports hall, refreshed poolside facilities, modernized changing village, and the addition of a specialized 'changing places' facility. This project demonstrates our commitment to creating accessible, high-quality community infrastructure that promotes health, wellness, and social cohesion while responding directly to local community needs and aspirations.

The structural and mechanical engineering solution required careful coordination of multiple facility zones while maintaining continuous operations during the phased construction programme. The new fitness suite incorporates advanced ventilation systems, specialized flooring solutions, and integrated power distribution for modern exercise equipment from Pulse Fitness and Ingido Fitness. The versatile studio space features engineered flooring systems suitable for diverse group activities, enhanced acoustic performance, and climate control systems supporting over 30 weekly group exercise classes. The sports hall renewal involved comprehensive floor refinishing with high-performance polyurethane systems, updated lighting to LED technology for improved energy efficiency, and enhanced mechanical ventilation. The poolside refurbishment required specialized moisture-resistant materials, improved ventilation systems, and upgraded mechanical plant to maintain optimal aquatic environments while ensuring user comfort and safety.

The primary engineering challenge involved executing a comprehensive refurbishment while maintaining facility operations and minimizing disruption to the community's recreational activities. Coordinating mechanical, electrical, and structural improvements across multiple interconnected zones required precise phasing and temporary solutions to ensure continuous service delivery. The integration of new accessibility features, particularly the PAMIS changing places facility, demanded specialized engineering for mobility equipment, accessible fixtures, and enhanced structural support systems while complying with current accessibility standards. Managing environmental conditions during construction, particularly in the pool environment, required sophisticated temporary climate control and moisture management strategies. The project's community-driven approach necessitated flexible engineering solutions that could accommodate evolving requirements while maintaining budget constraints and delivery timelines.

The completed Stonehaven Leisure Centre refurbishment has successfully transformed a well-utilized community facility into a modern, inclusive wellness destination that exceeds contemporary standards for leisure provision. The enhanced facility now offers expanded fitness opportunities, improved accessibility, and modernized amenities that serve diverse community needs from recreational swimming to specialized group fitness programmes. The project's success demonstrates the effectiveness of community-led participatory budgeting in creating facilities that genuinely reflect local priorities and requirements. This refurbishment establishes Stonehaven Leisure Centre as a regional exemplar for community leisure facility modernization, contributing to improved public health outcomes and enhanced quality of life for Aberdeenshire residents while creating a sustainable model for future community infrastructure investments.