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016 South South Woodham Focus
COuNCIL sAys NeW RIVeRsIDe WILL be suPeR-gReeN
Chelmsford City Council has just released the very latest artist's
impressions of the new Riverside Leisure Centre - and it says the
rebuilt complex is going to be one of the greenest and cleanest
in the country.
New images show in more detail than ever before the outside
of the centre, which is set to open to the public in April 2019
after 20 months of construction. Additional funding was granted
earlier this year to improve the green riverside walkways and
cycle paths around the centre, which can be seen for the first
time in the new impressions.
The new leisure complex, which is the Council's biggest ever
investment in the community, was rated 'Very Good' during an
independent environmental assessment known as 'BREEAM'.
That puts it in the top 25% of new non-domestic buildings in the
UK.
Chelmsford City Council is adopting the government's 'Soft
Landings' programme, which means that builders and
contractors will stay involved with the project for some time
after the practical work is completed. Architects Pick Everard and
main contractor Kier will work with the Council for two years
after the new complex has opened to the public, making sure
that it isn't using too much energy and fine-tuning all its systems
so they are energy-efficient during summer and winter.
A combined heat and power unit means that the new Riverside
will generate much of its own electricity, at a fraction of the cost
of buying it from an electricity company. The unit will also act as
the main boiler. While generating electricity, it will also produce
heat, which it uses to supply hot water for the pool, showers,
taps and heating systems.
When the centre needs more power than the combined unit can
provide, the cavalry will arrive in the form of modulating gas
boilers which fire up to meet demand. Because the boilers are
'smart', they only use as much energy as they need at the time.
They will often be working at less than full capacity, meaning
they will last longer and won't waste energy.
Although the new Riverside is heated in an efficient way, visitors
will be warm and comfortable - though if you look around the
airiest and most open part of the centre, you won't see a single
radiator. The main concourse and the walkways that cross it
overhead all have underfloor heating, meaning they stay warm
without any need to heat the air - perfect in an area close to the
main entrance, where fresh air is coming in every time the doors
open.
Smart sensors pick up on the weather outside and control the
heating indoors accordingly, so there will always be the right
amount of warmth for the conditions.
Even the lighting is efficient. These days, it is standard to use LED
bulbs - but Riverside's lighting will also be intelligently controlled
via sensors, depending on the levels of daylight outside. When
rooms are not in use, their lights will automatically switch off.
Councillor Julia Jeapes, Cabinet Member for Leisure, said, "The
old Riverside Ice and Leisure Centre, which was built in the early
60s, was pretty inefficient compared to the buildings of today.
Since it was built, man has been to the moon, invented the
Internet and become globally aware of climate change!
"With the technology and knowledge we now have at our
disposal, we have the opportunity to create a leisure complex
that's as good for the health and fitness of our planet as it is for
human beings. Thanks to clever engineering and great design,
we are building a centre that can serve our city sustainably and
cleanly for the next 60 years - and with beautiful landscaping
and improved paths, we are also encouraging sustainable
transport by helping people to walk or cycle to their activity of
choice."
Keith Prendergast, director at the national property, construction
and infrastructure consultancy Pick Everard said, "We're excited
to be working on the Riverside Ice and Leisure Centre which will
offer the community a new sustainable facility for years to come.
"Riverside's impact on the environment was central to our
designs, having utilised low carbon technology, airtight detailing
and enhanced insulation in order to create a building which
provide carbon reduction and efficient energy use for the life of
the building.
"We are incredibly proud to have designed a building which has
surpassed efficiency standards and look forward to seeing its
completion in the spring."
Ian Gifford, Operations Director for Kier, said, “Working
collaboratively with Chelmsford City Council, we are proud to be
delivering the Riverside Leisure Centre which has been carefully
designed to be as sustainable as possible. We are installing a
number of energy efficient measures that will not only make the
running of the building more cost-effective but it will also
provide a greener legacy for the local community to enjoy for
years to come.”
Find out more about the new centre at
www.chelmsford.gov.uk/riverside.
JOke CORNeR
I asked my French friend if she likes to play video
games. She said, "Wii."
I went to a seafood disco last week...
and pulled a mussel.
If anyone needs an ark, I happen to Noah guy.
I was going to make myself a belt made out of
watches, but then I realized it would be a waist
of time.
Last night, I dreamed I was swimming in an ocean
of orange soda. But it was just a Fanta sea.
I can't believe I got fired from the calendar factory.
All I did was take a day off.
What does C.S. Lewis keep at the back of his
wardrobe? Narnia business!
SOUTH WOODHAM
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