Latest on Bath Spa.

23/09/2005

After the Council took over the Bath Spa project, specialist consultants Capita Symonds were asked to produce a full report on the condition of the building so that the Council knew exactly what had to be done to complete the work. Their findings, which Capita Symonds have just released, reveal a number of problems. Capita Symonds has advised that these further defects can be rectified without adversely affecting the project programme.

In summary, the problems are:

* The glass wall surrounding the building is defective and much of it will need to be replaced. In addition, a number of panes have been vandalised.
* Several internal fire doors are not up to standard and are being replaced.
* Door frames in the steam room and treatment rooms are too weak to carry the weight of the doors.
* A number of sections of floor have to be taken up and re-laid to prevent leaks.
* Some electrical fittings have been found to be defective and will be replaced as part of the floor repair programme. The wiring does not match the wiring diagram (e.g. some of the switches do not operate the equipment they are supposed to).
* The wrong type of steel has been used in some areas leading to rusting and these will need to be replaced with stainless steel. This is not a structural problem.
* Paint is peeling from walls in the steam room and is being investigated further. This is not thought to be as serious as previous problems with paint peeling off the lining of the pool.
* A crack has been found in the basement where a temporary joint was not finished off properly and this is also being corrected.

In addition, the Council has decided to make a change in the preferred technology for water treatment for the Spa. When it was originally designed ozone treatment was specified on two of the pools on the advice of the Council’s external consultants. The Council has now changed the water treatment specification on all pools to a UV treatment system which, for various reasons, is now believed to be more appropriate.

It is estimated that the cost of these additional works will be £1.3 million.

Cllr Nicole O’Flaherty, Executive Member for Tourism, Leisure and Culture said,

“My first reaction was a mixture of concern and disappointment. However, I am assured by our contractors and officers that the implications of this list of works will have little or no bearing on the opening date of the project. These faults will be the subject of claims against those responsible

 

“It is of concern to all those who have been closely involved in the Spa whether these problems would have been found if the Council had not brought in a new team to deliver the project. In view of the additional work that has now come to light, I find it inconceivable that the previous contractors would have been able to complete the building to everyone’s satisfaction in the time they stated. I am pleased with the progress that Capita Symonds are making in progressing completion of the Spa

“We are still on course. The difference now is the Council gets a better picture of what is going on and that allows us to share that information with the public and the media.

“For those who took advantage of looking inside the Spa over the summer, many of these faults will come as a surprise to them – as they have to me. We will continue to be open and keep everyone up-to-date on progress.”