Childrens teaching pool at Les Quennevais sports centre

WQ.150/2021

WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, TOURISM, SPORT AND CULTURE

BY SENATOR S.W. PALLETT

QUESTION SUBMITTED ON TUESDAY 6th APRIL 2021

ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 13th APRIL 2021

Question

Will the Minister advise –

1. why the small teaching pool at Les Quennevais Sports Centre has been closed to the public for over a year;
2. what maintenance work, if any, has been carried out on the pool; who has undertaken any such work and at what cost;
3. the source of the funding for  any such maintenance work, and whether the work  has been undertaken within budget;
4. of any delay to these works; and
5. when the pool will re-open to the public?

Answer

1. Closure

The sports centre closed in accordance with Government instructions on 23rd March 2020 and re-opened in line with the Safe Exit Framework on 12th June 2020; the gatherings limit at this time was 20 swimmers in one pool only. Planned works for the learner pool were brought forward with staff draining down the pool for contractors to commence work in July 2020. Restrictions necessitated that only one contractor was engaged in a specific work area. The centre closed again on 4th December 2020 in accordance with Government's Winter Covid Strategy and reopened on 15th March 2021. Centre staff commenced filling the learner pool at the end of January 2021 to accommodate curriculum and therapeutic swimming. Attempts to restart pool circulation in early February failed due to both circulation pumps having seized. Replacement circulation pumps for the learner pool were ordered on 17th February with an expected delivery date of 1st April 2021.

2. Works completed

Project 1 – Building Renovations Ltd

A total of 17 steel columns needed repairs and were sleeved with outer steel cases, which were welded for strength. They were then painted with a bespoke paint system suitable for the environment and conditions of a swimming pool.

Project 2 – Building Renovations Ltd

A new structural steel plate was fabricated and installed in the glazed curtain walling, which had corrosion at the base plates. It was fitted with the curtain walling remaining in-situ.

The budget for Projects 1 and 2 was £90,000 and the final account was agreed at £80,824 creating a saving of over 10% due to value engineering both projects.

Project 3 – Building Renovations Ltd

Removal of the bead and fibreglass coating to wall, spas, splashdown area, bubble pool and access ramp; and replacement with mosaic tile at a cost of £100,215.

Project 4 – Centre staff

Pool cover replacement works undertaken by centre staff during normal working time. No additional costs due to upcycling a main pool cover.

Project 5 – IHE Mechanical Engineers

Removal of existing circulation pumps, pool plant pipework adjustments and preparation to fit new pumps. Costs to date £16,420. This figure includes work to main pool fittings and fixtures such as circulation pumps, valves and associated plant.

Project 6 – Grundfos/Sterling Hydrotech

Replacement circulation pumps are on order with Sterling Hydrotech/Grundfos at a cost of £12,731. These arrived on 9th April 2021.

3. Source of funds

4. Delays

Contractors experienced significant challenges with removing the bead and fibreglass coating in a sympathetic way to prevent damage to the pool structure. There were delivery delays with the mosaic tiles. Grundfos pumps were due on 1st April 2021 and arrived on 9th April 2021 with fitting due to commence on 12th April.

5. Re-opening

This is dependent on the arrival of the Grundfos pumps. Staff anticipate opening at the beginning of May.