Sapphire Ice & Leisure Centre

• The challenge:

  Constructed by Willmott Dixon for The London Borough of Havering, the facility includes an eight-lane swimming pool, fitness suite with 100 stations and a 56m x 26m ice rink with a 900-seated spectator area. Built in the heart of the town centre, it is also home to ice hockey team the London Raiders.

  This complex project was one of only a small number in the UK to feature an ice rink above a swimming pool.

• Project summary:

  • Involvement in the electrical design from the pre-construction stage
  • Development of the design concepts as the project progressed to ensure maximum efficiency and performance
  • Installation of all electrical services, including high-bay LED luminaires coordinated with AV equipment gantries to ensure uniform lighting over the rink and minimise glare
  • Use of LED uplighters to ensure compliance with Sports England and reduce maintenance.
  • Installation of lighting on the building’s exterior to emphasis the architectural cladding, including a vertical ribbon of light at specific points, comprising a watertight LED strip just 16mm wide
  • Advice on the use of cool-white LED lights to set off the blue panelling on the exterior and give maximum impact
  • Stringent programming to ensure delivery of the electrical items at strict times given the site’s town centre location and lack of storage space

Client:

• Kershaw Mechanical

Main Contractor:

• Willmott Dixon

Architect:

• Saunders Boston Architects

Value:

• £2m

Services:

• Electrical