Setback for Leisurezone Opening Date
In November last year, the Gateway Partners reported that there would be a delay in completing the new Leisurezone development. This delay resulted from a problem with the installation by the contractor of fire dampers in the new building, which required extensive remedial work to be undertaken.
On the information then available to the Partners, the best estimate of practical completion (the point at which the main contractor, Leadbitter, hands over the building to the Gateway Partners) was Friday 26 February 2010.
Despite the efforts of the Partners to ensure the remedial works and remaining finishes to the building were completed to this timetable, the building contractor has informed partners that further delays have occurred and practical completion will be mid/late April 2010.
As has always been the case, a further four weeks is required following handover by the contractor to enable the completed building to be fully fitted out by the Sports Trust and made ready for opening to the public. Based on the contractor’s latest estimate, therefore, it is likely to be late May when the new facility is open.
Whilst the further delay is deeply disappointing, the Gateway Partners remain determined to ensure that quality and safety are not compromised in any way, and that the town has a high quality sporting and leisure facility of which it can be proud for many years to come.
The three Group Leaders (Cllr Andrew Johnson, Cllr Chris Millington and Cllr Mark Wilkinson) on Harlow Council said: “We are extremely frustrated by this latest development. Excitement has been building for the opening of Leisurezone and these further delays will come as a disappointment to residents too. These delays are out of the partners’ hands and we have asked that once again our disappointment is registered with the contractors.
When Leisurezone opens the town will have a high quality sports and leisure facility which will be one of the best in the region.”
Bill Rammell MP said: “I am extremely disappointed that there are further delays to the opening of this absolutely fantastic new centre. Once open, I know the Centre will be a real credit to this town and across the region. I am pressing the Council and the Sports Trust to ensure that the contractors deliver on their latest promise and open the centre in May. I worked hard with others for over ten years to get funding for this facility and I was delighted when the Government announced the £11 million grant which made the building of the new Leisurezone possible.”
Pat Hay, Chair of the Sports Trust said “ The Trust clearly shares the sense of disappointment and frustration expressed by fellow partners at this further delay and recognises that this is especially disappointing to the Trust’s current and future members and users. We continue to work with our partners to try to ensure that the contractor completes the centre by the latest revised date which they have given, but assure all future users that they will enjoy a high quality experience once Leizurezone is open for business.”