The multi-functional leisure centre in Swansea was built in 1976 and consistently received in excess of 2,000 visitors a day. By 2002, many of the building elements had reached the end of their life expectancy and it was apparent that urgent works were required to keep the building open.

In August 2002, the City and County of Swansea engaged Davis Langdon to lead a team to carry out detailed surveys for asbestos and of the fabric, structure, mechanical and electrical services to establish the extent of the problem and to prepare and cost a comprehensive Options Appraisal and Feasibility Study for the urgent works required to keep the building functioning.

Our initial Report was completed by May 2003 and included a number of fully costed options, i.e.  in terms of design solutions, phasing, an analysis of the impact of short and long term closure on construction costs, we also considered demolition and site clearance together with relocation / rebuild cost and programme.

In November 2003, the Client decided to close the building and subsequently in January 2005 to implement a major refurbishment project including the provision of “new offers” to respond to present day public demand. Davis Langdon was appointed initially to provide a Project Procurement Strategy Option Study, Consultant Procurement advice / documentation and Master Programme development.

In September 2005, Davis Langdon was appointed as Project / Cost Managers, where a fully integrated service has been provided from the outset. We also provided CDM Coordinator services.

We led the project from the outset and guided the Client through the respective consultant, contractor, and specialist designer / subcontractor procurement process.

We also assisted the Client with the procurement of the Client direct fit out works and our appointment was also extended to develop the planned preventative maintenance strategy for the building and first year’s facilities management.

The leisure centre, now re-branded as The LC, has been transformed into a 21st century water park to create a vibrant, modern facility with the latest technology and cutting-edge attractions.

This “state of the art” complex contains:

• An indoor water park consisting of a network of pools, water rides, and slides, including a Master Blaster and the Surf Rider, which is the world’s first indoor deep water surfing ride.
• A lazy river will allow children to body surf, an interactive pool with play equipment, a toddler teaching facility in the Lagoon Pool and baby classes in the Kid's Pool.
• A multi-purpose sports and exhibition hall for sports, conferences, exhibitions and concerts.
• Wales' biggest fitness arena offering up to 180 stations with a comprehensive range of cutting-edge equipment and monitoring systems, weights and free-motion machines.
• Two aerobic studios.
• A spa with sauna, steam room, aromatherapy room, spa pool and specialist treatment rooms offering health and beauty treatments.
• Three restaurants.
• A four-storey children’s Playzone incorporating interactive audio visual elements using projectors, latest computer hardware and bespoke software packages, together with a sensory room for children with special needs, which is another world first.
• Party and function rooms.
• A nine-metre high climbing wall.

The facility is run by Bay Leisure Ltd, a not for profit Trust, and is expected to attract up to one million visitors a year. 

The project was delivered on an extremely fast track programme to achieve the required fixed opening date and within budget. 

The centre opened for a period of soft testing in late February 2008 and was officially opened by HRH The Queen and Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, on 7 March 2008.