Woodside Leisure Centre, Watford

In the first phase of improvements to Watford Woodside Leisure Centre in Hertfordshire, one of two state-of-the-art facilities in the town managed by Everyone Active, high performance weberfloor 4310 fibre flow by Saint-Gobain Weber has been specified by main contractor Bosun Design & Construction Limited (BDC), Chandlers Ford, Hampshire.

Everyone Active is the trading name for Sports & Leisure Management Limited (SLM), the UK’s longest-established leisure contractor. It manages more than 170 leisure and cultural facilities around the country in partnership with 49 different local authorities and trusts, and is currently carrying out a £1.8million improvement project across its Watford Woodside and Watford Central leisure centres.

“Working alongside Watford Borough Council, we are supporting local people of all ages and abilities to improve their health by offering them access to top-class leisure services and facilities,” said Gary Foley, Everyone Active’s contract manger in Watford. “This project to update both locations will make a huge difference to our members, providing them with a new fitness studio to cater for the growing demand in group exercise, refurbished changing facilities and a significantly improved fitness suite that will offer the latest state-of-the-art equipment.”

“We undertake contracts for Everyone Active at numerous sites in the south east,” comments James May, director at BDC, which is carrying out the work in Watford. “Multiple contracts are on-going at any one time.  The process of selection is via tender direct to Everyone Active, which then works with the local authority.  It is at this stage a preferred contractor is proposed.”

Included in the current phase of the works is the creation of a new mezzanine floor. It has been installed in the space above a former dance studio and adjacent squash court, and has enabled a brand new fitness studio to be created.  The current studio has also been extended.  The second phase of development is due to begin at both Watford sites shortly, for completion in early 2019.  BDC is actively involved in both projects.

Subcontractor C E C Plastering, of Southampton, undertook the application of weberfloor 4310 fibre flow screed.  Director Chris Crosby says: “Together with Bosun Design & Construction we specified this fibre reinforced self-smoothing compound which we pump-applied at various thicknesses from 35-50mm.  It was quick and easy to install, very versatile, and has produced an excellent finish.  We’re fans of this product and have used it before but, even so, we benefited from Weber’s technical support.”  weberfloor 4310 fibre flow screed was applied to a steel framed block and beam floor construction which overcame the concerns around loading issues that might have arisen with the application of a traditional concrete screed.

The new floor was initially primed with weberfloor 4716, a water-based primer designed for use with all cementitious and hemi-hydrate floor screeds.  It regulates the porosity of the substrate, improves the adhesion of flooring products while reducing the formation of pinholes in the levelling layer.  It should be diluted with clean water and can be spray applied on large areas.

weberfloor 4310 fibre flow screed is designed for application at thicknesses between 5 – 50mm and formulated from special cements, aggregates, supplementary binders and chemical admixtures.  It is supplied as a blended dry power and designed specifically for renovation of existing floors and floating floor construction in domestic and commercial applications.

weberfloor 4310 fibre flow can receive foot traffic after just 2 - 4 hours and can be tiled after 12 - 24 hours, dependent on ambient temperature following installation.  The fibre reinforcement aids durability and allows it to be used in conjunction with under floor heating systems and floating floors.  weberfloor 4310 fibre flow has excellent spreading and smoothing characteristics.  It has low alkalinity and low emissions during drying and is casein free.

Almost 500 bags of weberfloor 4310 fibre flow were required to finish the 190m² mezzanine floor in preparation for a final wood sprung floor suitable for dance and other physical education where shock absorption is essential to enhance performance and reduce the risk of injury.