EQUITONE specified for £15m leisure centre development

A district council HQ and leisure centre in Nottinghamshire has been rebuilt – using EQUITONE fibre cement facade material to give an appropriately civic feel to the finished project.

Rushcliffe Arena, in West Bridgford, was transformed following an investment from Rushcliffe Borough Council as part of a wider health and wellbeing programme within in the area.

The £15m project combines leisure facilities – including new squash courts and gym space and a newly-installed 25m swimming pool, aerobic studio plus refurbished indoor bowling green – co-located with the borough council’s offices.

As part of the development, all materials had to be durable, require low maintenance and have an excellent lifecycle.

CPMG Architects, based in Nottingham, recommended EQUITONE [tectiva] – a through coloured fibre cement material – for the building’s exterior.

Ajay Chauhan, architect at CPMG, the project lead designers, said: “The client wanted to use a material for the facade that was durable and low maintenance.

“We suggested EQUITONE [tectiva] as it’s hardwearing and has a long-life expectancy. EQUITONE [tectiva] in colour Pebble also provided the specific aesthetic requirements the client was looking for with its fine sanded surface and naturally occurring hues making each panel unique.

“The option to install the material using a mechanical secret fix method also added to the aesthetic impact of the finished building resulting in a sheer, smooth facade unobstructed by fixings.

“We’re really pleased with the overall finish of the project. EQUITONE [tectiva] was the ideal choice for this project – it gave the aesthetic appearance we hoped for, was within budget and is of fantastic quality.”

EQUITONE [tectiva] is a through coloured fibre cement material that offers elegant shades of natural colour providing a unique aesthetic effect.

Characterised by the fine sanded lines and naturally occurring hues within the material, these enhance the natural matt appearance, which comes to life with the effects of light and shade.

All Etex (Exteriors) EQUITONE materials are available in a range of colours, finishes and fixing options giving full creative scope.