Sandwell Aquatics Centre
Project at a glance
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SectorSport, Leisure & Hospitality
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LocationWest Midlands
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ClientSandwell Council
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Main ContractorWates
Creating a legacy beyond the games
The Sandwell Aquatics Centre was built to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games, but its purpose extends far beyond a single event. Designed as a lasting legacy for the local community, the centre is now a vibrant, inclusive facility that promotes health, wellbeing, and sporting excellence.
Appointed by Wates, SES delivered a £13m MEP package to support the transformation of the venue into a centre of excellence for swimming and diving. For the first time, local athletes have access to world-class training facilities without needing to relocate or travel long distances – fostering pride, opportunity, and inspiration across Sandwell.
Technical highlights
We employed offsite manufacturing to streamline the installation of mechanical and electrical systems, including six mechanical risers, two electrical risers, and 350 multi-service 2D and 3D modules. This approach improved safety, reduced on-site labour, and accelerated installation. The prefabricated risers and modules, manufactured in our in-house facility, were fully coordinated, and delivered ahead of schedule, saving three months on installation timings.
Comprehensive MEP delivery
SES installed:
- 5km of sub mains cabling
- 5km of primary containment
- 2,000 luminaires
- 2MW of heating to support 5,000m³ of pool water and general building heating
- 2,330m² of underfloor heating
Community engagement
The project team partnered with Think Sandwell, Sandwell College, and local schools to provide work placements, mentoring, and career pathways in construction and MEP engineering.
Legacy-focused design
The facility was designed not just for elite competition, but to serve the community long-term, supporting grassroots sports, inclusive access, and regional development.
