CUSTOMER:
PROJECT:
Rye Leisure Centre: Revitalising a Community Asset Through Smart Refurbishment and Energy Efficiency
Rother District Council secured funding to upgrade Rye Leisure Centre, a vital community facility serving the local area. As the only leisure centre within miles, the building plays a key role in supporting health, wellbeing and community engagement.
DMA Group’s Projects and Energy Services teams were engaged to survey, design and deliver a programme of building fabric and M&E improvements. The goal was clear: to revitalise the facility to increase community usage, improve the overall environment, and reduce ongoing energy costs.
The Challenge
The leisure centre had experienced wear and tear over time and required significant refurbishment to remain fit for purpose. Following the impact of Covid-19, maintaining the facility had become increasingly difficult, and its condition risked discouraging community use.
Key challenges included:
- A tired building environment that needed modernisation
- Ongoing maintenance issues and building defects
- The need to reduce operational and energy costs
- Delivering improvements without disrupting day-to-day operations
For Rother District Council, these issues were not just operational. They directly impacted the local community’s access to essential leisure services.
The Solution
DMA Group delivered a comprehensive refurbishment and upgrade programme, combining energy efficiency measures with essential building improvements.
Key works included:
- Installation of solar PV to support energy reduction
- Replacement of internal and external fire doors
- Roof repairs, including removal of areas of standing water
- Installation of new vinyl flooring
- Plaster repairs and full redecoration
- Removal and reinstatement of external render
- Fire alarm system upgrade
- Replacement of emergency lighting
- Reconfiguration of the studio entrance to improve usability during school hours
A detailed survey identified all building defects, which were prioritised using a RAG (Red-Amber-Green) approach. This enabled Rother District Council to make informed decisions and deliver the most impactful improvements within a fixed budget.
The Results
The project successfully transformed the leisure centre into a more efficient, attractive and functional space for both operators and users.
Outcomes included:
- Reduced energy consumption and carbon footprint through solar PV and efficiency improvements
- Lower operational costs, supporting long-term financial sustainability
- Increased community usage, driven by improved facilities and environment
- Enhanced safety and compliance through upgraded systems
Crucially, all works were delivered while maintaining building operations, ensuring continuity of service for the local community throughout the project.
