CM Oxendale Ltd was engaged to support the Phase 2 remodelling and refurbishment of the House of Sports in Manchester. The project involved the complete upgrade of mechanical and electrical services throughout a live, high-performance sports facility, creating a modern, energy-efficient, compliant and future-ready environment for athletes, staff and visitors.

The scheme combined complex mechanical, electrical, controls and infrastructure works, together with extensive design development, enabling the facility to remain operational while major building services improvements were delivered.

Mechanical Services 

The mechanical package included:

• Strip-out and removal of existing mechanical systems.
• New ventilation systems serving the athletics track and squash court facilities.
• Replacement ventilation systems to changing rooms and toilet areas.
• Electric radiant heating installations to both athletics and squash court zones.
• New DX air conditioning systems serving trackside support spaces.
• Full sanitaryware replacement across trackside, reception, ground floor and first floor facilities.
• BMS and controls integration with remote connectivity.
• Testing, commissioning and final handover documentation.

Electrical Services

The electrical scope comprised:

• Switchboard and distribution upgrades.
• Power infrastructure modifications.
• New containment systems.
• Lighting and emergency lighting replacement.
• Electrical installations associated with radiant heating systems.
• Mechanical plant power supplies.
• Data infrastructure upgrades.
• New PA system installation.
• Access control enhancements.
• Testing, commissioning and certification.

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Design & Engineering Development

A significant element of the project involved Stage 5 design development and coordination.

Working closely with the project team, CM Oxendale Ltd contributed to the refinement of the original design proposals, ensuring that the final solution reflected operational requirements, programme constraints and budget objectives.

Key design developments included:

• Re-engineering of the athletics track ventilation strategy to align with performance requirements while reducing overall plant requirements.
• Integration of squash court ventilation into the main ventilation proposal to improve efficiency and reduce duplication.
• Reduction of radiant heating zones to optimise installation and operational performance.
• Development of revised sanitaryware layouts and accessibility improvements.
• Detailed coordination of controls, power distribution and mechanical interfaces.
• Validation surveys and design reviews to confirm the suitability of existing infrastructure.

This collaborative design approach generated substantial value engineering opportunities while maintaining performance standards required for a modern sporting venue.

Key Project Challenges

Live Sports Environment

The House of Sports remained operational throughout the planned works, requiring careful coordination to minimise disruption to users and sporting activities.

Challenges included:

• Maintaining safe access routes.
• Working around scheduled sporting activities.
• Managing noise and disruption.
• Coordinating deliveries within restricted operational areas.
• Integrating new services within existing building infrastructure.

Complex M&E Integration

The refurbishment required significant interaction between new and existing systems. Extensive surveys and validation exercises were undertaken to identify existing services and develop installation methodologies which reduced risk during construction

Solutions Delivered

CM Oxendale Ltd implemented a structured delivery strategy focused on:

• Early design coordination.
• Detailed survey and validation works.
• Phased installations.
• Continuous client and stakeholder communication.
• Comprehensive testing and commissioning.
• Integration of modern controls and energy-efficient systems.

The result was a coordinated solution that enhanced building performance while supporting the long-term operational requirements of the facility.

Project Outcomes

Improved Facility Performance

• Modernised ventilation systems throughout key sporting areas.
• Enhanced thermal comfort through zoned radiant heating.
• Improved reliability of building services infrastructure.
• Upgraded sanitary and welfare facilities.
• Improved controls and operational monitoring.

Enhanced User Experience

• Better environmental conditions for athletes and visitors.
• Improved accessibility and welfare facilities.
• Modern lighting, power and communication systems.

Future-Proofed Infrastructure

• New switchgear and distribution infrastructure.
• Upgraded controls with remote connectivity capabilities.
• Flexible systems designed to support future operational requirements.

The House of Sports Manchester refurbishment demonstrates CM Oxendale Ltd’s capability to deliver large-scale mechanical and electrical refurbishment projects within complex, occupied environments. Through a combination of innovative design development, technical expertise and robust project management, the team provided a comprehensive building services solution that improves performance, reliability and long-term operational resilience for one of Manchester’s key sporting facilities.