Waves Leisure Centre – VRF / HVAC Replacement Project

The Challenge

Waves Leisure Centre is a landmark public facility located on Whitley Bay’s seafront, operating year round and serving gym users, swimmers, staff, and the wider community. The existing HVAC systems had reached end-of-life and were struggling to provide consistent heating, cooling, and air quality.

The Council required a modern, energy-efficient replacement solution capable of operating reliably in a highly corrosive coastal environment, while being delivered within a tightly constrained programme and without disruption to adjacent public facilities.

Our Solution

Blue Leaf Energy was appointed to deliver the full replacement of the air conditioning and ventilation systems, designing and installing a high-performance VRF solution tailored to the site’s operational and environmental demands.

The works included:

• Installation of five Midea V6-i Series VRF outdoor units, delivering a combined capacity of 167.5 kW.

• New indoor cassettes, pipework, and associated HVAC distribution systems.

• Integration of a new intelligent control and BMS interface, enabling enhanced system monitoring and optimisation.

• Electrical works and coordinated crane lifts for rooftop plant removal and installation.

• Specialist anti-corrosion treatment applied to all external condensers to ensure long-term resilience against sea air exposure.

The project was delivered within a critical seven-day shutdown window, requiring meticulous planning, sequencing, and close coordination with Council teams.

Funding & Support

The project was delivered as part of North Tyneside Council’s wider investment in public building infrastructure. Blue Leaf Energy worked collaboratively with the Council to programme the works efficiently, minimise risk, and ensure safe delivery within an active public environment.

The Results

• 167.5 kW of high-efficiency VRF capacity installed within 7 days.

• Significantly improved temperature control, air quality, and acoustic comfort across key areas including the gym, studios, and management spaces.

• Enhanced system monitoring through integrated controls and BMS connectivity.

• Improved energy efficiency and reduced operational costs.

• Completion on time, on budget, and to a high quality standard.

Impact

The Waves Leisure Centre project demonstrates Blue Leaf Energy’s ability to deliver complex HVAC replacement works within live public buildings and challenging coastal environments. The new VRF system has transformed comfort conditions for users and staff, while providing North Tyneside Council with a durable, efficient, and future-ready solution for a flagship community facility.