William Penn Leisure Centre Refurbishment
- Final tiling of the floor of the main pool should begin shortly. The tiling of other areas is largely complete.
- Completion of tiling and ceiling works will be followed by deep cleaning and the filling of both pools. This will allow the commissioning of pool filtration and other services to begin.
- Plans for fitting out and staff training are well advanced.
- The complexity of the remaining works, particularly commissioning, is such that a definitive completion date cannot yet be given.
- Improvement and repair works to the dryside showers, which are separate from the main refubishment, are now complete.
William Penn Leisure Centre is owned and funded by Three Rivers District Council, and managed by Hertsmere Leisure Trust. To find out more information on classes, the sports hall, squash courts, crèche, health and beauty or the external multi use games areas contact 01923 771050 or visit www.williampennleisure.co.uk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is William Penn Leisure Centre open?
Yes! And thousands of people are enjoying it. Beaumonts, the brand new fitness suite opened in December 2008 with 80 state of the art fitness stations, and is already proving very popular. Two brand new exercise studios opened in July 2009, with a full programme of classes. The building also has a sports hall, squash courts, crèche and outdoor multi-use games area. William Penn Leisure Centre is owned and funded by Three Rivers District Council, and managed by Hertsmere Leisure Trust. For more information on activities contact 01923 771050 or visit www.williampennleisure.co.uk.
When will the refurbishment be finished?
The refurbishment of the wet side of the building, featuring two new pools, is not yet complete. Three Rivers District Council is not currently able to report a firm date for the completion. An expected completion date should be available once current remedial works are completed.
Why has the refurbishment taken so long?
Three Rivers District Council apologises for the continued delays to the refurbishment of William Penn Leisure Centre. The Council terminated the employment of the previous main contractor in February 2009, due to repeated delays and poor quality workmanship. Unfortunately completion works and independent surveys have revealed further extensive defects. Rather than attempt to patch up these critical areas or compromise on its quality requirements, the Council has commissioned additional testing of all areas of the site, in order to ensure that the finished pools are of the highest possible quality and reliability.
Why did the Council dismiss the main contractor?
The Council terminated Gee Construction’s employment due to repeated delays to the project, and because Gee had failed to correct defects in their work to date. Although the scheme was well advanced, the Council had lost confidence in Gee’s ability to complete the remaining stages within a reasonable timescale. It is the view of the Council and its advisers that completion can best be achieved with other contractors.
Why didn’t the Council dismiss the main contractor earlier?
The Council terminated Gee’s contract reluctantly, and only after exhausting every other option. Gee had made repeated assurances over the previous twelve months that poor co-ordination and performance on site would improve. There was an encouraging improvement in labour levels and productivity, around August 2008, restoring confidence that the scheme was finally approaching completion. Unfortunately this improvement was not sustained, leaving the Council with no alternative but to terminate Gee’s employment.
How much will it cost to finish the works?
The cost of completing the project will depend on the scale of defective works, and the prices submitted by contractors. The Council has already retained expert legal advice in order to recover as much of these costs as possible. The Council has already deducted damages for late completion from its payments to Gee. The resolution of these disputes will not be allowed to delay the completion of the scheme. Updated cost projections will be considered by Councillors in due course.
Who is responsible for the delay?
The causes of the delays to the refurbishment are disputed between the Council and its contractors, and it may take some time before final liability and responsibility are established. The Council’s immediate priority is to complete the scheme as soon as possible, while ensuring high quality and value for money. A detailed scrutiny of the entire procurement process, identifying any lessons to be learned for future projects, will begin as soon as practical completion is achieved.
Are the venue’s management or staff responsible?
None of the responsibility for the poor execution of this project rests with Hertsmere Leisure Trust, which operates William Penn Leisure Centre on behalf of the Council. Its managers and staff have experienced the same repeated disappointments, inconvenience and frustrations of this project as have the building’s customers.
What about the spa?
The Council decided in June 2007 that a decision on the fitting out of the health suite area should be postponed until the final costs of the scheme were known with more certainty. Services to the health suite have therefore been installed, although the room itself has not been equipped. A provision for this equipment currently remains within the scheme budget.
What will the opening times be and how much will swimming cost?
Hertsmere Leisure Trust are currently finalising draft pool timetables, and expect to have the main pool open from 6.30am-10.00pm Monday-Friday, 7.30am-7.30pm Saturday, and 7.30am to 8.30pm Sunday. The inclusion of the new learner pool and increased changing capacity within the refurbishment will mean that general public swimming can be guaranteed for all but a few hours of each week. Hertsmere Leisure have pledged that prices will be as low as possible, and that rates will be comparable with those applied before the refurbishment, adjusted for inflation. They are also aiming to harmonise the charges at William Penn Leisure Centre and the Sir James Altham Pool in South Oxhey which they also manage on behalf of the Council.
Will I need to be a member to use the facilities?
No. The main and learner pools will be available for casual swimming at most times of the week. There will also be a range of membership offers with attractive discounts for frequent swimmers, as well as an increased range of classes and activities for all ages and abilities. More information about activities, opening times and prices will shortly be available at reception, by phoning 01923 771050 or at www.williampennleisure.co.uk
What about free swimming?
In April 2009 Three Rivers District Council launched iSwimforFree for everyone aged 18 and under, and everyone aged over 60 years. Free swimming all year round during all public swimming times (excluding lessons) is initially available for all at Sir James Altham Pool in South Oxhey (0208 421 0211) and for Three Rivers residents at Woodside Leisure Centre in Garston (01923 892710). As soon as the pools at William Penn Leisure Centre are open, iSwimforFree will be available there too.
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
The main contract requires the closure of the pool and its changing rooms, and includes:
- The construction of the new learner pool
- The reconstruction of the main pool, with all new pool plant
- Construction of the new enlarged changing facilities, and two new exercise studios
- Construction of the new combined and enlarged fitness suite.
Temporary Alternatives
Hertsmere Leisure , who manage William Penn Leisure Centre on behalf of Three Rivers District Council, are managing temporary swimming during term times at Rickmansworth School every Tuesday and Thursday from 7am-8am. 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.
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:
|
|
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.