Presentation from Assistant Director of Leisure.
Minutes:
Town Board received a progress update on the Clay Cross Active Project. They heard that good progress had been made to date and that 99% of the steel frame was in place. Members also heard that there was a good relationship with the contractor and design team.
Town Board were made aware that the project had been delayed by 7.2 weeks due to the discovery of asbestos as well as issues around the sports hall structure. The aim would be to open the facility towards the middle or end of December 2024 pending no further unexpected delays.
Members were made aware that the 3G pitch-works had gone out for tender and the planning application would be expected in early 2024. The funding partner, The Football Foundation, was due to make its funding decision in the summer of 2024. Members heard that the indications were positive that funding would be granted with an expected date to start the works at the end of October or start of November 2024.
Board heard that the financial spend on the project to date was just over £8 million.
Members were informed on the main tasks for the project throughout December as well as the expected risks. The risks included: DNO (District Network Operator providing power to the substation), demo and asbestos, weather, and intumescent spray during winter.
It was explained that the contingency budget remained tight due to delays and asbestos as outlined above. An additional £250k had been applied for from Sport England to de-risk the project and ensure key community elements (e.g. swimming timing) were not value engineered out of the scheme. A condition to the additional grant would be that NEDDC would be required to underwrite any further additional costs on the CCA project.
Members were made aware of a major risk on the DNO not providing a timescale to complete the enabling works.
Town Board congratulated the Officers on the progress that had been made to date.
Cllr A Dale enquired as to whether work on soft play and tag active could be completed alongside the other works instead of after the handover period. He also asked about the need to close the leisure centre for a period of 10 months and what impact this would have on the project overall.
He heard that the soft play and tag active work would be twin tracked alongside the main works if possible.
It was also explained that the closure period for the leisure centre was driven by the contractor as intrusive asbestos work could not take place with people within the building.
Board learned that during the closure period, residents would be encouraged to use other sites where possible and that sports clubs would still be supported during this time. Additional measures put in place during this period would include increased opening hours at other pools and the continuation of fitness classes and swimming lessons. The Council would be working closely with Chesterfield Borough Council in order to deliver lessons at Queens Park Sports Centre.
Members were invited to attend a site visit at Clay Cross Active with the Assistant Director Leisure following the end of the meeting.
RESOLVED – That Town Deal Board noted the progress update on the Clay Cross Active Project.