Latest on Bath Spa. (13)

20/04/2006

Many people will have seen the large crane outside the Spa building during March.

While on the inside contractors have been working extremely hard to complete the building – many people haven’t been able to see their efforts. The crane is a very visible sign of progress on the project. It was there to help us replace the glass surrounds on the Spa - the last major part of the works.

I would like to thank all the neighbouring residents who have been so accommodating while this work has taken place as it has meant road closures and some extra noise.

The New Year started with a very positive headline in The Bath Chronicle which read ‘2006 – the year of the Spa’. I believe that this year will be the year of the Spa. The information supplied to us shows that we are on track. We have already begun the transition to let the operators, Thermae Bath Spa, have access to the site.

Let us be clear that the schedule remains very tight. There is little slack in the project. The amount of work to be done was detailed earlier this year when our consultants, Capita Symonds, gave us an update on the major issues being tackled. The following problems were listed:

1. Replacement of glazing system to the external walls
2. Removal of and replacement of ceilings to gain access to mechanical and electrical faults
3. Identification and rectification works to mechanical and electrical services including rewiring, replacement of copper pipe work, valves etc
4. Increased scope of works to floor waterproofing including increased testing regime
5. Building in of missing fire dampers into air conditioning ductwork
6. Remedial works to non-compliant drainage above ceiling
7. Grit blast removal of existing flaking and poor quality paintwork to steel and concrete columns and replacement
8. Replacement of fire doors that do not meet fire officer requirements, installation of missing fire stopping where services pass through firewalls and repairs / replacement of floor finishes removed to allow missing sensors to be installed to under floor heating
9. Increase in scope of decoration works e.g. painting to replace ceilings and walls where plaster replaced
10. Replacement of defective stainless steel works
11. Sundry scaffolding, stoneworks, external waterproofing works

The extent and number of construction and design defects discovered is more than could have been imagined. However it is better that these issues are identified now and corrected.

People have continued to voice their criticisms of the project through our local media – as is their right. What I have found interesting is that when I have spoken to people directly about the project the majority are keen to see it open, keen to see it succeed and keen to see it help rejuvenate Bath and the surrounding area.

In December I gave a talk to the knowledgeable members of the Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution on the project. There were some tough questions but also, I believe, a real understanding about why Bath deserves this unique and wonderful building.

I gave a version of the same talk in January to many of the people actually working on the project. They were interested to hear about the history of the scheme and why their hard work will be appreciated by generations to come. I believe it is important we do not forget their contribution.

Another group whose contribution should not be forgotten are the hundreds of subscribers who have been backing this project from the very beginning. We will soon be organising an event especially for them so that they can receive a personal update on the scheme.

Meanwhile Thermae Bath Spa has already started taking on the staff that will run the Spa. We hope they will soon have access in order to begin their specialist fit out. At this point, we expect the operators to be working alongside the contractors.

Another sign of private sector confidence in the project was revealed in March when a planning application was submitted to transform the former technical college into a deluxe Spa hotel at a cost of £25 million. The economic benefits to the city and beyond are beginning to bear fruit and this is a very good sign.

It means more people have a stake in seeing this project succeed.

In my last update I wrote that the Spa will be a world-class attraction. Recently I was delighted to be able to meet around 50 tourism representatives from America. They were very enthusiastic about the project and its potential as an attraction to visitors from the USA. Such endorsements are very encouraging as we enter the final stage of this project.

Kind regards

Nicole O’Flaherty

Executive Member for Tourism, Leisure and Culture

Bath & North East Somerset Council