Opened up back at the turn of the Millennium, ready for the Commonwealth Games in 2002, the city’s Aquatic Centre has been looking a bit tired in recent years, and with the surfacing of a series of mechanical and electrical failures, it’s about time some cash was injected into the facility.
Therefore an investment proposal will be discussed by the City Council, revolving around plans to spend £31m on an extensive refurbishment over two years to improve facilities and reduce the building’s carbon footprint.
Home to a variety of high-profile events in the city, the Centre is also run for profit, generating more than £4m a year for the city. After detailed survey and investigation work over the last year, considerable mechanical and electrical failures have been found, totalling around £31m needed to address the problems.
As well as a complete refurbishment of the building and the introduction of more green technologies to reduce the centre’s carbon footprint by 40%, the pool’s treatment system will also need replacing, as well as improvements to lighting, movable floors, lifts and an upgrade of the heating and electrical systems. Finally, the centre’s spa facilities will receive a much-needed renovation and replacement.
If approved by the council, the works will be done in phases over 2 years, with planned minimal disruption ensuring public access to at least one pool at any given time.
