• Provision of new wet and dry changing areas
• Existing wet change rooms were fully re-equipped
• Retiling of pool surrounds and pool hall walls, and new treatment of other internal finishes
• A 95 station gym
• A new spinning studio adjoining the fitness suite
• Creation of two interconnecting fitness/dance studios on the first floor
• Replacement of existing roof covering and windows
• New treatment of external elevations, replacing mansard cladding with full height wall treatment
• Alterations to the car park layout and landscaping.

Behind the scenes, an equally impressive works project got underway. "The original filters were two horizontal metal fabricated sand filters that had started to corrode and were costly to repair, along with the ongoing maintenance program required with metal fabricated filters," Mr Cheek states.

"The pools had all new pipework installed along with pool return fittings and all new tiles. The plant room was also totally refurbished."

Best in class
When it came to choosing new filtration equipment, Hydrospec immediately turned to Waterco, which supplied four Micron SPDD2000 Nozzle Plate filters for the main pool and two Micron SPDD1400 for the teaching pool. Waterco's EcoPure Glass Media was used for both filters, while Waterco Dual pressure gauge panels were also installed.

"The best gear was required, which is why we went for the SPDD nozzle plate filters and the EcoPure glass media," Mr Cheek adds. "Nothing else was considered - just the Waterco SPDD filter, as it's the best filter in the market. Also, as it's made from GRP material, the filters will not corrode and do not require any costly maintenance programs."

SPDD nozzle plate filters were used over the more conventional lateral commercial filters in order to produce a better standard of fluidisation and sanitisation. Chlorine remained the sanitising chemical of choice. All filters were fitted with the Waterco dual pressure gauge panels to indicate the differential pressure readings across the filter bed for backwashing purposes.

The result
The Fairfield Leisure Centre reopened in February 2016 to the joy of locals and the admiration of the council. Mr Cheek believes using Waterco's equipment in the refurbishment was a wise choice. "The water clarity looks great," he says.

The Micron SPDD Nozzle Plate filters: At a glance

• The SPDD200 has a flow rate 21m3/hour/m2
• The SPDD1400 has a flow rate 20m3/hour/m2
• Can be used with a combination of in depth filtration techniques, and a variety of media, to provide everything from sediment removal to the elimination of minerals and odours from water.
• Easy access for filter media filling and removal
• Fibreglass wound tank, UV and Corrosion Resistant
• Hydraulically balanced laterals to maximise water flow and filtration
• Supplied with flanged connections, fitted sight glass and standard service hatch

EcoPure glass media: At a glance

• Removes 30 per cent more material and pollutants than sand, thus saving on backwashing and the resultant water, energy and chemical treatment costs
• Less susceptible to bio-fouling. As the product is heat treated, its surfaces are smooth, so it requires less remedial action and again less chemical treatment to kill pollutants
• Less dense than sand, requiring 20 per cent less media to fill the equivalent filter
• Doesn't degrade, giving it a longer life span
• Suitable for commercial and domestic use