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BILLINGSHURST - Pool project a step closer |
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Pool project a step closer
PLANS to build a public swimming pool in Billingshurst came a step closer last week. Horsham District Council's Cabinet meeting of 11 January has now agreed the process by which a building contractor will be appointed to the project. A new method of selecting a contractor is to be used which uses a new regional construction framework, the 'South East Centre of Excellence Framework for Major Projects and Programmes of Work', which is now available for use by all public authorities in the region for construction projects costing more than £1 million. Following the framework, a company called Willmott Dixon Construction Ltd will be invited to bid for the contract. The relatively local company is very experienced in such work.
It is expected that the agreed contractor could be finally appointed by the end of April and construction work could start as early as May. This means that Billingshurst and the west of the Horsham District will to see a new 25 metre, four lane indoor pool - with movable floor - in place by next year, 2008. The Billingshurst Community Swimming Pool will be very much a facility for the community as the majority of the new pool's use is intended for public swimming, lessons and club usage. It will also benefit local schools. The new pool will be built next to the Weald Recreation Centre in Billingshurst's Station Road and the work will also involve an extension to the centre's existing fitness suite and an improved reception area. The pool project is currently estimated to cost £4.47 million to build with a large proportion of this being made up of developer contributions arising from new homes built in Billingshurst in recent years. The remainder of this cost will be made up by Horsham District Council. A £10,000 per annum contribution to the net annual running costs has been agreed by Billingshurst Parish Council. The Billingshurst swimming pool project is a partnership project between Horsham District Council, Billingshurst Parish Council, West Sussex County Council and the Weald School.
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