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08
Dec 2020
Additional construction costs of Ripon swimming pool 'confidential'
Harrogate Borough Council has said additional costs caused by the delay in completing Ripon's new swimming pool and leisure centre refurbishment, cannot be revealed due to commercial confidentiality.
Construction firm Willmott Dixon was awarded a £10.2 million contract last year to build the pool and refurbish the leisure centre.
The scheme involves creating a six-lane pool, a health suite, two dance studios, a spin studio and new play areas outside.
The council approved the initiative in June 2019.
Concerns about sinkholes
16 months before the council approved the swimming pool development a sinkhole opened up in the leisure centre car park.
Following the incident in February 2018, which saw the car park barriered off and closed, the council issued this statement:
At the June 2019 planning meeting, three members of the eight-member committee abstained rather than support the project, after 'deep concerns' were expressed about the sinkhole risk in an area of Ripon known for widespread gypsum deposits.
Masham councillor Nigel Simms voted against the application because he believed ground stability issues made it an untenable use of public money.
The city's gypsum problem was highlighted in a major technical report commissioned by the Department of the Environment in 1996, titled 'Assessment of Subsidence Arising from Gypsum Dissolution (with Particular Reference to Ripon, North Yorkshire)'
Work started on the Camp Close site, at Dallamires Lane, on 25 November 2019 and the 17-month project was scheduled for completion by 21 May 2021. It is now due to be completed in November 2021.
What's caused the delay?
Councillor Stanley Lumley, the council's cabinet member for culture, tourism and sport, said the project had been 'slightly delayed' by COVID-19.
Construction on the site was halted for five weeks during the first lockdown and did not stop during the second lockdown.
In May, Willmott Dixon operations director Nick Corrigan told the Stray Ferret that approximately 30 workers, including management, had been back on site since 30 April.
In Cllr Lumley's 13 November press release, he said: 'Ground work, known as grouting, is nearing completion.'
Grouting is a method used to stabilise unstable ground.
The Stray Ferret submitted a Freedom of Information request seeking details about the cost of ground works on the site.
The council said it holds the information but it was exempt from disclosure. It did, however confirm that there would be extra cost, saying:
The council, added:
Regarding questions about the cost of ground remediation, the council said:
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