Exeter Bus Station site redevelopment update

Published: 2 April 2019

Work is progressing well at the Exeter Bus Station redevelopment site which will see the creation of the UK's first super energy efficient leisure complex called St Sidwell's Point.

A brand new bus station with modern facilities will also be built. The current bus station will remain open throughout the two year redevelopment.

Since activity started on site in January 2019, works have involved the main site footprint and progression of the substructure of the building.

The site was prepared for piling works, which involved amending the levels of the whole site, removing ground material and building up in other areas.

The piling rig has been on site for a couple of weeks and is installing the first phase of concrete piles that support the new structure and take the weight down to the existing bedrock below ground.

Works have progressed well, and the reinforced pile caps and ground beams, the foundations, are starting to be formed. This will form the base on which the main building structure will be built.

St Sidwell’s Point is expected to open in around two years.

The state-of-the-art facility will feature:

• A main swimming pool and learners pool with moveable floors
• A confidence water pool
• A 100 seat spectator seated area
• A café to seat 50
• A 150 station fitness gym and two fitness studios
• A health suite and spa facility
• A children’s soft play area

Redevelopment timeline: what’s happening next

Over the next six weeks, the piling to the lower tiers of the leisure centre will be completed and the contractor will start constructing the pile caps and ground beams to hold the foundation structure together.

They can then start forming the pool boxes near to Paris Street and the main retaining walls.

The contractor's long term site cabins and offices will be placed in April after the piling rig is removed from site.

The tower crane base will be installed ready for the tower crane to be erected at the end of May.

At this point people will see a change in the site as this phase of groundworks finishes. There will be less traffic removing items from site, but more deliveries of steel and concrete as the foundations take shape.

Passivhaus Leisure Centre: the first of its kind in the UK

Exeter's new leisure centre will be the first in the UK built to Passivhaus standards.

Passivhaus is all about creating the highest quality construction, resulting in a building with a hugely reduced energy consumption.

Building St Sidwell’s Point in this way will help it to become one of the world’s most energy efficient leisure centres.

The water quality at St Sidwell’s Point is also expected to be better than at any other pool in the country.

A special filtration system will mean there will be minimal chemical content, which will greatly enhance the experience for users.