Work on £18 million Worthing swimming pool begins (From The Argus)
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Work on £18 million Worthing swimming pool begins
6:00pm Wednesday 13th July 2011 in News By Tim Ridgway
Work on a new £18 million swimming pool has begun – despite contracts for building work at the site not being fully agreed.
Hoardings and earthwork has replaced the paddling pool and playground at the site earmarked for Worthing’s new pool. But Worthing Borough Council has confirmed it has not yet signed the deal for construction staff to begin the main section of the work, saying it is a “complex process”.
Opposition groups have questioned the decision to push on, claiming the work could have been delayed for a few months to allow youngsters to enjoy the paddling pool and playground during the summer holidays.
Council leader Paul Yallop defended the decision, saying: “It’s a big complex project and it’s just taking a little bit longer than expected to get the final tenders completed.
“It’s a major scheme and I’m not sure it is in the taxpayers’ interest to be pressing ahead with things until all of the i’s have been dotted and the t’s have been crossed. But work has begun there and we are getting ready for the main body of construction to begin. We’re expecting news shortly.”
Coun Yallop added he was unsure if the delay would mean a finish date of spring 2013 would have to be put back.
The Tory council leader was quizzed about the progress of the pool at a meeting of the Adur and Worthing joint overview and scrutiny committee with Lib Dem councillor Bob Smytherman saying: “It’s puzzling how the council has taken on this much work without actually signing a contract.
“We’re about to come up to the summer holidays so you would have thought the council, knowing it hadn’t got everything sorted, could have delayed the works and allowed access to the playground for the peak months.”
Comments(14)
rolivan
says...
6:51pm Wed 13 Jul 11
Hove Actually wrote:Because they are not building a UFO research centre
How can Worthing afford this but Brighton & Hove City Council cannot even maintain or develop a well used sports centre
helena f
says...
7:05pm Wed 13 Jul 11
graham w
says...
7:51pm Wed 13 Jul 11
PorkBoat
says...
8:50pm Wed 13 Jul 11
hubby
says...
9:49pm Wed 13 Jul 11
Bad Lieutenant
says...
10:24pm Wed 13 Jul 11
helena f wrote:You coul be on to something... Every time I walk past a groupnof lads shout.."Oi...U......
Are you sure the sports centre isn't just a front for a secret UFO research centre?
.F.O"
Jimmy Stewart's Imaginary Rabbit
says...
5:52am Thu 14 Jul 11
PorkBoat wrote:It's still got one - it's called the sea. The only open-air pool in Worthing I remember is the Lido, which was actually built OVER the sea. Unsurprisingly it couldn't compete with the real thing and last time I was there (a few years ago admittedly) it was quite a good young children's amusement park.
I remeber Worthing used to have a lovely open air pool,but it closed, to make way for...what exactly?
Jimmy Stewart's Imaginary Rabbit
says...
5:55am Thu 14 Jul 11
hubby wrote:It's being replaced by this new pool which is being built next door. Funny, I remember going to the Aquarena when it first opened and being in awe of it as it was MILES better than the old baths at Heene Road.
Whatever happened to the Aquarena?
plantwoman
says...
9:12am Thu 14 Jul 11
Jimmy Stewart's Imaginary Rabbit wrote:If you look at what was the Lido on Google maps, you can make out a bouncy castle etc.
PorkBoat wrote: I remeber Worthing used to have a lovely open air pool,but it closed, to make way for...what exactly?It's still got one - it's called the sea. The only open-air pool in Worthing I remember is the Lido, which was actually built OVER the sea. Unsurprisingly it couldn't compete with the real thing and last time I was there (a few years ago admittedly) it was quite a good young children's amusement park.
I suppose health & safety got in the way of enjoyment as usual!
simmone bull
says...
10:46am Thu 14 Jul 11
Disciple
says...
12:58pm Thu 14 Jul 11
gmgc81
says...
9:26pm Thu 14 Jul 11
Disciple wrote:To do what, drown?
Ye Gods! Let us not stop this or complain..I, and the vast majority of people who use public transport, are all for anything that gets the people of Worthing near to water...
Disciple
says...
8:32am Fri 15 Jul 11
gmgc81 wrote:Ye GODS! No! In the name of Hades...to BATHE... Hast though never caught a whiff of a Worthingite .... Tis in all ways similar to Whitehawkians or Moolscoomians but without the Kebab and Marijuana undertones....
Disciple wrote:To do what, drown?
Ye Gods! Let us not stop this or complain..I, and the vast majority of people who use public transport, are all for anything that gets the people of Worthing near to water...
Hove Actually says...
6:20pm Wed 13 Jul 11