Jan 09 Update on Driffield Leisure Centre Opening

 

Dear Editor

In response to questions raised by us with The Chief Executive of the ERYC on concerns regarding the new Sports Centre.

Why are the repairs to the fire damaged officedelaying the opening of the facility?

The fire made the reception and back office areas unusable. The majority of the building has not suffered damage, but the damaged areas are the only ones available for administration of the facility. Liaison with the insurance assessors has now been completed and a programme of works agreed to undertake the required repairs.

In organising these works it has been important not to impact on the warranties applying to the whole building and this has made what in normal circumstances would have been more speedily resolved a more lengthy process. Some of the products required for the repairs are also on extended delivery dates and are not “off the shelf” materials. But importantly the works are now being done.

Why can the main facility not be opened without the offices ?

The office and admin building is vital to the safe and effective running of the centre, and without the reception area there is also no access to the upstairs facilities.

Are there problems with the building which are not as yet resolved?

There have been issues with the water treatment plant which have resulted in the excessive use of the CO2, this is linked with the unusually high alkalinity levels of the water in the area and has impacted on the pool water standards. This issue is being resolved with the specialist pool plant design and installation contractors. Again these works are ongoing and are due to be completed before January 12th.

Any other building defects will be dealt with in the normal contractural way through retention payments or other contractural redress as, when and if required.

Why is the building being lit and heated when it is not in use ?

The building is heated and lit, this is required to enable the normal drying out and maturation of the works. The levels of heating are lower than would be required in normal operational mode but are adequate to meet the needs of the staff and contractors who are working on site from time to time. The lighting is also required at other times as it is an important contributor to the overall security of the site. For example, without the lighting the CCTV system would have been unable to have identified the two miscreants who set fire to the building. The water treatment plant is continuously operating (although at a reduced level) thus maintaining water quality and avoiding equipment failure.

When will we have sports facilities for Driffield?

Throughout the whole (admittedly lengthy) construction period the level of sports centre service to Driffield has remained the same, the old sports centre has provided the continuing opportunity to the public. It would however have been very difficult and costly to have provided staffing for both centres to operate at the same time.

When will the new centre open for use?

The opening of the new sports centre (subject to no further unforeseen mishaps) has been set for January 12th, with an official opening ceremony being arranged for Saturday January 31st.

Hopefully this will cast some light on the reasons for the delayed opening.

Yours sincerely.