William Penn Leisure Centre Refurbishment

LATEST NEWS

As of 25 July 2008 

When will the refurbishment be finished?
The refurbishment of William Penn Leisure Centre has fallen well behind its original programme. This has inconvenienced users and staff throughout the building, as well as those waiting to return there to swim. Three Rivers District Council apologises for this. On 22 July the main contractor (Gee Construction) informed the Council that they now expect to complete the project in November 2008. This target date is provisional, and is based on a draft work programme which they are confirming with their subcontractors. A firmer programme is expected shortly, and the feasibility of earlier occupation of areas such as the new fitness suite is also being actively investigated.

Cutting corners in a rush to completion would be a false economy, so although completion is already overdue, the Council will not relax any of its quality criteria. Unfortunately neither the Council nor its contractors are able to guarantee a completion date with absolute certainty, although all parties are fully committed to finishing the scheme as soon as practically possible.

 Once construction is complete Hertsmere Leisure (who operate the building for the Council) will need two weeks to commission new equipment before opening the pools and other new areas to the public. The Council is currently advising Hertsmere Leisure to plan for a launch of the new William Penn Leisure Centre at the beginning of January 2009.

Users can find out about temporary arrangements for classes and other activities by asking at reception or by calling 01923 771050.      

Why has it taken so long?
Refurbishments of existing buildings often reveal unexpected problems when construction work starts. This was the case at William Penn Leisure Centre with the unexpected discovery of gas and electricity supplies.

The causes of later delays are disputed between the Council and the various contractors, and between the contractors themselves, but all parties are determined that their resolution must not be allowed to delay progress on site.

What is the Council doing about this, and how much will it cost?
Council officers meet formally with the contractors at least every fortnight to review progress and to try to ensure that future works are being effectively co-ordinated. Additional meetings have also been held with Directors and Chairmen of the contractors. Regular progress reports are made to Councillors.

The Council’s budget for the whole project is £4.6m, to include equipment, design fees and contingencies. Liability for delays and their related costs is disputed and will take time and effort to sort out. In the meantime the priority is to get the work completed as soon as possible to the standard required. Residents can be assured that the Council is determined to get the best possible value for this investment.

What is happening on site?
Blockwork and internal walls are complete, and specialist contractors are installing mechanical and electrical services. Orders will shortly be placed for the very latest fitness and other equipment.

 
Work is continuing on the refurbishment of William Penn Leisure Centre in the Mill End area of Rickmansworth. The multi-million pound project will add a learner pool, two dance studios and all new pool plant equipment to the popular venue, as well as increasing its capacity for fitness and other activities. 

REFURBISHMENT DETAILS

Why?
William Penn Leisure Centre opened in 1996, when a 'dryside' extension including a sports hall, exercise studio, squash courts and fitness areas was added to a former school swimming pool originally built in the 1970s. The centre has proved to be extremely popular, with over 150,000 visits every year. However the pool plant is now over 30 years old and increasingly unreliable and expensive to maintain. Meanwhile one pool is no longer enough to accommodate the growing demand for public swimming, schools and other lessons, aqua classes and family splash sessions. Many of the dryside areas such as the fitness areas and exercise studio are also bursting at the seams.

Three Rivers District Council commissioned a feasibility study in 2004 to examine the most effective way of renewing the building and increasing its capacity. This study has now been further developed by a design team of architects, surveyors and engineers from Atkins Design Solutions into a detailed design.


What?

The new William Penn Leisure Centre will include the following features:

• Brand new learner pool
• Fully refurbished deck level main pool (the same size as the existing pool)
• All new pool changing area with increased capacity and a flexible choice of changing and showering arrangements
• All new pool plant, using ultraviolet water treatment to give clearer water using much less chlorine
• Comfortable ground floor spectator area giving views of both pools
• Combined fitness area with 36% more space for more machines, stretching area etc
• Two new exercise studios upstairs (there is currently only one)
• A new crèche / party room for children
• Redesigned foyer with improved reception, catering and security features
• The whole building will be fully accessible for people with disabilities
• The design will feature the latest energy-conservation technology, including use of solar power to heat the pool water

When?

The enabling contract (completed March 2007) concentrated on the 'dry' side of the building, involved:

• Building a temporary fitness room at the end of the sports hall, and moving both current fitness operations (weights and cardio-vascular machines) into it for the duration of the works
• Converting the existing cardio-vascular room to the new crèche
• Building a new reception desk & relocating alarms etc
• Bringing new utility supplies into the building

Inevitably a project of this scale has implications for users throughout the building. However, the programme has been designed to minimise disruption to existing activities, and ensure the safety of users and staff during the works:

Fitness (cardio/weights)	Temporary room in sports hall
Sports Hall	Reduced capacity
Swimming Pool	Closed (see below for alternative venues)
Catering	Vending only
Creche	In new room
Dance Studio	Closed

Squash courts will be unaffected by this programme, and have recently been fully refurbished.

Temporary Alternatives

Hertsmere Leisure , who manage William Penn Leisure Centre on behalf of Three Rivers District Council, are managing temporary swimming during term times as follows:

Early morning swimming	Tuesdays and Thursdays	7.00am - 8.00am	Rickmansworth School, Scots Hill, Rickmansworth
Swimming lessons	Tuesdays	4.30pm - 8.00pm	Westfield Community Technology College, Tolpits Lane, Watford

Current William Penn members can also enjoy discounts at pools in the Chiltern and Hertsmere District areas.

For more information or to book lesson places, please contact  William Penn Leisure Centre on 01923 771050.

Swimmers are also very welcome at  Sir James Altham Swimming Pool in South Oxhey, which hosts a full programme of public swimming and lessons for adults and children. Telephone 020 8421 0211 for more information. 

Since January 2008 the current exercise class programme has been temporarily relocated to the sports hall and Shepherd School.

Green Leisure

The energy costs of an average swimming pool have risen by up to £20,000 in the last year alone. Three Rivers District Council has made the reduction of energy usage in all its buildings a high priority, and is also looking for opportunities to use renewable energy wherever possible.

The design for the new William Penn Leisure Centre will therefore include solar thermal panels for pre-heating pool water, as well as other energy conservation technologies

Further Information

Copies of plans and the latest information on the refurbishment scheme are displayed in the foyer at William Penn Leisure Centre. You can also get copies of plans and detailed briefings below:

Ground floor plan

William Penn Leisure Centre Refurbishment - Ground Floor Plan. DOWNLOAD

First floor plan

William Penn Leisure Centre Refurbishment - First Floor Plan. DOWNLOAD

Changing rooms briefing

William Penn Leisure Centre Refurbishment Changing Room Bulletin.  DOWNLOAD

Safety briefing

William Penn Leisure Centre Refurbishment - Safety Bulletin. DOWNLOAD

You can ask any questions you may have about the project by emailing leisure@threerivers.gov.uk

William Penn Leisure Centre is managed by Hertsmere Leisure on behalf of Three Rivers District Council.