SWIMMING POOL CLEANING

Hazel Grove Sports Centre (Virgin Active) - Stockport, SK7

Client's Challenge

Virgin Active Hazel Grove raised concerns regarding safety, hygiene and presentation within their swimming pool surrounds and associated wet-side and dry-side changing facilities.

Persistent scale build-up, surface residue and debris in wet areas had resulted in slippery floor conditions, leading to customer accidents and an increase in complaints from members. In addition to safety concerns, the visual condition of the areas was no longer meeting the expected standards of a premium leisure brand.

The client required a specialist contractor capable of delivering an effective deep clean that would:

• Remove scale and mineral build-up
• Reduce slip risk on wet surfaces
• Improve hygiene standards
• Be delivered safely within a live leisure environment without disrupting
daily operations

Assessment & Planning  

APT ICC technicians carried out a detailed assessment of the swimming pool surrounds, wet-side areas and changing facilities to identify contamination levels and slip-risk hotspots.

The assessment identified:

• Scale and mineral build-up contributing to slippery conditions
• Residue caused by unsuitable in-house cleaning products
• Inefficient cleaning methods leading to recurring contamination

A controlled trial clean using Aquacleanse was completed to confirm effectiveness on scale deposits and ingrained contamination. Following successful validation, a tailored cleaning plan and maintenance strategy was
developed to restore standards and reduce recurrence.

APT ICC also reviewed existing in-house cleaning procedures and provided guidance on improved product selection and simplified maintenance routines.

    Methodology

    The deep cleaning programme was delivered using a leisure-specific,
    safety-led approach:

    1. Targeted scale treatment
    Aquacleanse was applied to affected wet-side and poolside surfaces to break down scale and mineral deposits.

    2. Agitation and contamination removal
    Treated areas were agitated to lift embedded debris and surface residue contributing to slip risk.

    3. Controlled rinse and sanitation
    Surfaces were thoroughly rinsed and sanitised to restore clean, safe conditions suitable for public use.

    4. Maintenance optimisation support
    Improvements were identified for ongoing in-house cleaning routines, including simplified product use and safer alternatives to acid-based descalers.

    Site Access & Logistics

    Equipment
    • Professional commercial cleaning tools suitable for leisure and wet-area
    environments
    • Controlled application and rinse systems for public facilities

    Chemicals
    • Aquacleanse – specialist swimming pool and wet-area cleaning chemical for scale removal and sanitation
    • Citracleanse – citrus-based cleaner and degreaser introduced as a safer, more effective alternative to acid-based descalers

    The Results
    • Scale and mineral build-up removed from poolside and changing areas

    • Slip hazards significantly reduced
    • Hygiene and visual standards restored
    • Improved safety and customer experience for members
    • Reduction in customer complaints
    • In-house cleaning team supported with clearer guidance and improved efficiency
    • Simplified product use delivered improved long-term cost control

    Virgin Active Hazel Grove achieved a safer, cleaner leisure environment while improving operational efficiency and maintenance consistency.