World‑class spaces for elite athletes and local communities
For more than a decade, Wates has delivered a wide range of leisure and sports facilities – from modern community leisure centres and new sports venues to urban parks, elite training facilities and international centres of excellence. Through this work, we have built a strong reputation for quality, reliability and long‑term value.
A standout example is the Sandwell Aquatics Centre, which we designed and built for the Birmingham Commonwealth Games. Delivered to world‑class, elite competition standards, the venue was purposefully designed with legacy in mind. Following the Games, we successfully transformed the facility into a community leisure destination for Sandwell Council, ensuring long‑term public benefit.
More than just a building –
creating spaces with a purpose
We recognise that today’s leisure facilities are more than just buildings. They play a central role in addressing public health challenges by supporting healthier lifestyles and promoting both physical and mental wellbeing.
To meet these challenges, we create vibrant community hubs that bring people together – places to be active, train, compete and socialise.
In‑house
technical expertise
At the core of our delivery is SES – our in‑house specialist mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) business. Working together at an early stage reduces clashes and ensures that systems fit seamlessly within a building.
SES brings:
- Precision, safety and programme certainty on every project
- Market‑leading mechanical and electrical engineering capability
- Advanced offsite manufacturing through SES Manufacturing
We draw on our internal technical expert panel to provide early‑stage design oversight, helping to identify risks and maximise opportunities for innovation. Their specialist knowledge ensures every design is cost effective, high performing and sustainable, and that the best products and systems on the market are incorporated.
As an additional layer of assurance, we engage a pre‑approved panel of architects and consultants, including specialists with a deep understanding of Sport England’s design standards and technical requirements.
Our supply chain for pool filtration systems is also well‑established, underpinned by long‑term relationships that support consistent quality and programme certainty.
A trusted partner
to the public sector
UK public sector procurement is increasingly delivered through multi‑year frameworks. Wates is on 70% of the UK’s leading central and local government procurement frameworks, so is well placed to deliver complex projects through this route, while ensuring transparency, efficiency and value for money for the public purse.
Making a splash at Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games
We built Sandwell Aquatics Centre to host one of the largest international sporting events of 2022, the aquatics programme at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, but our involvement also continued after the competition ended, transforming the centre in a community leisure facility for Sandwell Council, opening in 2023.
Managing the numbers
We have a strong understanding of the funding and compliance requirements that underpin projects in this sector – from Sport England to the Heritage Lottery Fund and other public funding bodies.
Drawing on our in‑house expertise, we work with clients to reduce operational and running costs from day one, helping ensure facilities remain affordable to operate and deliver lasting value in an increasingly constrained funding environment.
Building high‑performing
university facilities
Our track record includes major university leisure and sports facilities, such as the Jubilee Sports Centre at the University of Southampton. We are accustomed to working across complex, live campus environments and adept and minimising disruption while delivering facilities that support student health, wellbeing and performance.
Creating lasting
social value
We work in collaboration with our customers to develop long term social value strategies that are tailored to the needs of those that live and work locally. Our social value strategies include:
- Work placements, apprenticeships and skills training
- Community engagement activities
- Procurement opportunities for local businesses and supply chains
Reimagining places for people to thrive.
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