Leisure Centre at Risk of Collapse Due to Corrosion
Major corrosion in the steel columns that support the roof structure was discovered recently at Pingles Leisure Centre in Nuneaton. Surveying was being carried out as part of the Governments Net Zero Strategy when the shocking discovery was made. The original project scope was to fit solar roof panels and upgrade the heating system in line with new sustainability initiatives.
The steel columns supporting the main roof structure of the swimming pool are suffering from corrosion which needs urgent attention.
The facility has been temporarily closed while Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council secures the necessary £280,000 in funding to cover the unanticipated corrosion repair work and prevent the roof collapse due to corrosion. Additionally, an ultrasound survey of the structural columns is pending to assess the extent and severity of the deterioration.
Says Councillor Tim Jenkins, cabinet member for leisure, when asked asked to provide an update on the structural issues;
A lack of maintenance left serious structural issues with the columns inside the Pingles” he said. “Currently we are waiting on an ultrasound survey on the columns. It wasn’t quite as bad as we first thought, which is a relief. We were planning on putting columns on the outside of the Pingles to replace the ones on the inside. So, what we are looking at it is a temporary fix so that the gym upstairs can fully open again. There are two columns that are in a particular poor state. Once the temporary support has gone in, the gym can re-open and then there will be more work carried out once they (the columns) have been properly assessed. Then we will know better where we stand.
Planned solar panel installation on leisure centre roof as part of the UK Governments Net Zero Strategy.
Initial project funding
£4.2m of funding has been awarded for the work, most of which ( £3.8m ) is coming from the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero. The grant is all part of the new Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme. The remaining funding was made up with £400k from Sport England and £470k from Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council. All the funds are already allocated to various key parts of the project so having to find extra funding to pay for the unexpected corrosion repair was unwelcome to say the least.
Rebuild or refurbish?
There are plans to completely rebuild the leisure centre sometime in the future, however for now a refurbishment of the existing building will extend its lifespan and save money while budgets are squeezed and public money is scarce. The refurbishment project includes replacing all the boilers which are coming to the end of the use with modern more efficient boilers.
New green commercial heat pumps
The new commercial heat pumps will cut emissions by 30% and save up to 70% of the annual energy use of the leisure centre. Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs) reduce carbon emissions significantly compared to fossil fuel heaters. ASHPs also last 10-15 years, whereas gas heaters generally last 5-7 years
Energy efficient heat pump to replace old water heating boilers.
Building design flaw or poor maintenance?
Okay lets get back to the corrosion unpack the key points. Installing steel columns in close proximity to a large indoor swimming pool acting as the primary structural supports may be considered a significant architectural and structural engineering oversight. The warm, humid environment inherent to such facilities accelerates the oxidation of metal components due to continuous exposure to water (H₂O) and oxygen. And and it gets worse, the high concentration of chlorine (Cl₂) in the air acts as a highly aggressive oxidizing agent, significantly increasing the risk of chloride-induced corrosion in steel structures.
Pitting corrosion, a particularly insidious form of localized degradation, can develop and propagate with minimal visible surface evidence, making early detection challenging. Without routine inspections conducted by a qualified commercial building surveyor, corrosion may remain unnoticed until structural integrity is severely compromised. In this case, poor design and material selection, combined with inadequate inspection and maintenance protocols, inevitably led to the progressive deterioration of the steel columns.
An abandoned leisure centre illustrating how, if left unchecked, can be at risk of collapse due to corrosion.
This structural failure ultimately may have resulted in the catastrophic collapse due to corrosion of the roof, an event that could have caused significant loss of life.
What have we learned?
Steel is a highly durable, cost-effective, and versatile construction material. However, its primary vulnerability is corrosion, which can significantly compromise structural integrity if not properly managed. Therefore, steel should be strategically installed in environments that minimize unnecessary exposure to moisture and corrosive chemicals. In cases where such exposure is unavoidable, rigorous maintenance and routine inspections by qualified commercial building professionals are essential.
When identified in its early stages, corrosion can be effectively mitigated through specialized treatment processes carried out by expert corrosion remediation contractors, such as ourselves. Proactive corrosion management not only extends the structural lifespan of a building but also reduces long-term maintenance costs and, most importantly, ensures the safety of its occupants.
