Case Study — Sport & Leisure New Diving Centre, Barnet Copthall
Lead Cost Manager and Employer’s Agent through the pre-contract stages of a £12m new diving centre for North London Aquatics at Barnet Copthall, procured through a two-stage design and build tender under NEC3 Option A.
The challenge
A dedicated home for diving in North London
North London Aquatics proposed a new purpose-built diving facility at Barnet Copthall, giving divers a dedicated home alongside the wider leisure offer on the site. The scheme included a 25m pool, fixed diving boards, spectator seating, a judges’ area and changing facilities, together with associated external and utility works.
Specialist aquatic buildings bring their own cost challenges: deep pool tanks, diving structures, pool plant and environmental control, and the requirements of competition diving. Robust cost planning through the pre-contract stages was essential to give the client confidence in the budget before committing to construction.
Delivered by Ollie Thompson MRICS in a previous role at Mace.
Project facts
At a glance
Lead cost management and Employer’s Agent services through the pre-contract stages, preparing the scheme for a two-stage design and build tender under NEC3 ECC Option A with client amendments.
Client
North London Aquatics
Location
Barnet Copthall, North London
Value
£12m
Our role
Lead Cost Manager and Employer’s Agent (pre-contract)
Facilities
25m pool, fixed diving boards, spectator seating and judges’ area
Scope
New build diving centre, changing facilities, external and utility works
Procurement
Two-stage design and build tender
Contract
NEC3 ECC Option A, with client amendments
Programme
12-month construction programme
Our approach
Pre-contract cost and commercial control
Feasibility & Budget
Early cost advice to test the brief and set a realistic budget for a specialist diving facility.
Cost Planning
Cost plans tracked the design as it developed, including the pool tank, diving structures, pool plant and spectator areas.
Procurement Strategy
Advice on a two-stage design and build route to bring in contractor expertise early on a specialist building.
Two-Stage Tender
Managing the first-stage tender and the development of the second-stage price, tested package by package.
Contract Preparation
Preparing the NEC3 ECC Option A contract with client amendments, including the activity schedule and Works Information.
Employer’s Agent
Reviewing the contractor’s proposals against the Employer’s Requirements and advising the client ahead of contract award.
The outcome
A purpose-built centre for competition diving
Specialist facility
A new build diving centre with pool, diving boards, spectator seating and judges’ area.
Diving pool
A 25m pool designed around fixed diving boards and competition use.
Stage tender
Early contractor involvement through a two-stage design and build tender under NEC3 Option A.
See also our Stone Leisure Centre case study, or read NEC Option A vs Option C.
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