An opening date for Ripon’s new swimming pool has still to be announced.
Harrogate Borough Council said on November 26 that the planned opening on December 8 had been postponed to an unspecified date in January. The delay was attributed to a fault in the lining of the pool.
In mid-December, when the council announced the multi-million pound leisure protect would be named the Jack Laugher Leisure and Wellness Centre, in honour of the Olympic diving hero and former Ripon Grammar School student, the council said the pool would be opening “early in the new year”.
But with less than two weeks of January remaining, no opening date has been revealed.
A council spokesman told the Stray Ferret it “should have further news in the coming days”.
Ripon has been without a public swimming pool for more than two months since Spa Baths closed on November 7.
The new pool and leisure centre has been beset by historic issues of ground stability that affect the Camp Close site at Dallamires Lane. It was originally due to be completed in May 2021 and cost £10.2 million, but it is currently eight months overdue and £4 million over budget.
Conservative councillor Stanley Lumley, the council’s cabinet member for culture, tourism and sport, and chair of the board of directors at Brimhams Active, which operates the district’s leisure centres, said at the time the fault was found:
“New swimming pools go through a significant amount of testing to ensure they are safe to use for years to come and provide the best experience for the customer.
“During the testing period of the new six-lane 25metre swimming pool at the leisure centre on Dallamires Road in Ripon, an issue was identified with the lining of the pool.
“We understand this is disappointing but would like to reassure you we are working as quickly and as thoroughly as possible to open the pool as soon as we can.”
Major refurbishment of Harrogate Hydro set for approval
A major refurbishment of Harrogate’s Hydro swimming pool looks set to be approved.
Harrogate Borough Council officers have recommended that a plan to build a two-storey extensiononto the ageing facility is given the go-ahead.
The Hydro was first opened in 1999 and replaced the old Coppice Valley pool.
The proposals were lodged by the authority and are due to go before a council planning committee next week.
The council is proposing to demolish the current ‘drum’ entrance and replace it with a larger structure that includes a bigger café and reception area on the ground floor and a new 400 square metres fitness suite on the first floor.
The proposal is backed by Sport England, which said an “improved and modern” facility would benefit the town.
It said:
“An improved and modern leisure facility in this sustainable location delivers a series of benefits, including increasing the opportunity for physical activity, increasing membership and usage and encouraging better interaction with the facilities and services on offer”.
Councillors on the borough council’s planning committee will make a decision on the refurbishment at a meeting on January 6.
Further projects at The Hydro
The move to refurbish The Hydro comes as other work is being done to upgrade the building.
In July, the council confirmed it is to buy a new diving platform to replace the damaged one that has kept divers out of the pool for eight months.
Meanwhile, the council has also given approval for 420 solar panels to be installed on the roof of the pool as part of a decarbonisation project.
A total of £1.8 million will be spent at The Hydro to install the solar panels, as well as replace gas boilers with air source heat pumps and put in place new energy monitoring and control systems.
The Hydro is now run by Brimhams Active, a new arm’s length leisure company set up by the council this year. It has taken over the running of 12 leisure facilities in Harrogate, Knaresborough, Ripon and Pateley Bridge.
Conservative councillor says Ripon leisure scheme is poor use of public money
The sole Conservative councillor who spoke out against the choice of Dallamires Lane for Ripon’s new pool, says the project is a poor use of public money.
Originally scheduled to open in May, the scheme, which includes refurbishment of the adjoining leisure centre, is already more than £3 million over budget at £13.5 million with the costs set to rise even further.
Cllr Nigel Simms, who represents the Kirkby Malzeard and Masham Ward, told the Stray Ferret:
“Nothing has happened to change my mind, the geology of the site with its sinkhole issues, means it’s the wrong place.
“I’m all in favour of new leisure facilities for Ripon, but a more stable area should have been selected.”
At the June 2019 planning meeting where the application for the pool and leisure centre refurbishment was approved, Cllr Simms, said:
“I do not believe that you can build this thing and that in 50 years time it will still be there for the use of the people of Ripon.
“I don’t think it’s an economic use of public funds.”
In the meantime, the long-awaited new pool for Ripon is scheduled to open on 8 December.
The Stray Ferret asked HBC about the final costs for the leisure centre work and a council spokesperson, said:
“As outlined during the cabinet meeting, the costs for the investigation works are not as yet known. Following the investigation works, there will then be assessment of the proposed remediation strategies, together with an assessment of the estimated cost.
“The council would not be able to disclose details of costs until the agreed remedial works are contracted as we view that providing this information may prejudice future commercial negotiations with supply partners.”
Two Freedom of Information (FOI) requests made to HBC by the Stray Ferret about the cost of ground remediation work at the site, which caused the initial six-month delay to the swimming pool opening, received similar responses.
However, in September, the council provided details of additional costs incurred for the project in response to an FOI request submitted by Ripon resident and chartered civil engineer Stanley Mackintosh.
In its FOI response to him, HBC said that:
Money already paid for construction and associated works stood at £12,936,235.55.
A further £619,427.06, had been allocated for payment.
This running tally of £13,555,662 in September compares with the original 17-month contract signed with construction company and principal contractor Willmott Dixon for £10.2 million.
Mr Mackintosh told the Stray Ferret:
“I have always been in favour of a new swimming pool and leisure centre for Ripon, but along with others, have argued over many years that the Camp Close site, with its known history of ground instability, was not the right place for it.”
Ripon leisure centre won’t fully open with new pool
Ripon Leisure Centre will only be partially open when the city’s new swimming pool comes on stream in seven weeks’ time.
Harrogate Borough Council (HBC) has confirmed that the leisure centre’s ground floor will remain closed while ‘further ground investigatory work and any remedial action required is considered.’
The multi-million pound project, due to include a six-lane pool, fully-refurbished leisure centre and outside play areas, was initially scheduled for completion in May, but ground stabilisation work known as grouting, contributed to a six-month hold up.
Last week HBC announced a revised date of 8 December for the opening of the pool.
Now, however, there is a further delay in delivery of the complete scheme, which is already more than £3 million over budget.
Opening on 8 December – Ripon’s new swimming pool
A spokesperson for HBC, said:
“The first floor of the leisure centre will remain open and will continue to be available for use when the new pool opens on the 8th December.
“The ground floor of the leisure centre will remain closed whilst further ground investigatory work and any remedial action required is considered.
“Once any further investigations and any necessary mitigations are concluded, the full suite of facilities at the Leisure Centre will be ready to be opened.”
The leisure centre gym has been moved and can now be accessed via a temporary first floor entrance, but a spin studio and other facilities that would have been on the ground floor, will not be available when the pool opens.
The original £10.2 million contract awarded to construction company and principal contractor Willmott Dixon in November 2019, stipulated a completion date of May 2021.
Following the extension of the contract, known costs for the scheme currently stand at £13,555,662.
Before granting itself permission for the new pool and leisure centre refurbishment at a June 2019 planning meeting, the committee heard concerns raised about development on land with a known history of ground instability.
A sinkhole caused the closure of the leisure centre car park in February 2018 and a new void discovered during construction work in September 2020 near the former entrance to the centre, is the subject of an investigation costing £110,000.
New Ripon pool may not be ready to open in November
Ripon’s new multi-million pound leisure development may not be ready to open in November, as previously indicated.
The scheme, for which known costs were in excess of £10.2 million before a six-month delay was announced last year, was originally scheduled to open this summer.
Last autumn, a press release by Harrogate Borough Council said the development at Camp Close, off Dallamires Lane, would open in November.
But in an update issued by the council a spokesperson, said:
“We can confirm the new swimming pool in Ripon is due to open towards the end of the year.
“An official opening date will be confirmed in the coming weeks once the facility has been handed-over by Willmott Dixon, our appointed contractor carrying out the works.”
An ‘opening in summer 2021’ sign was later replaced by one saying ‘opening in autumn 2021’.
The statement, added:
“Following this handover, we will carry out the necessary staff training and rigorous testing to prepare the new facility for opening.
“The addition of the new swimming pool is a major development for Ripon and the surrounding area and we’re delighted to announce that it will be officially opened later this autumn.”
£10.2m contract
A £10.2 million contract was awarded to Willmott Dixon before work started on site in November 2019.
The 17-month contact was for delivery of a six-lane pool, along with refurbishment of the existing Ripon Leisure Centre.
This specified a completion date of 21 May this year, but this was later amended to November.
Councillor Stanley Lumley, the council’s cabinet member for culture, tourism and sport said, at the time, that the project had been ‘slightly delayed’ by covid.
In the release dated 13 November, he added:
“Ground work, known as grouting, is nearing completion.”
Ground stability issues
Cllr Lumley’s statement came two months after a ‘void’ was discovered near the entrance to the existing leisure centre building, which was constructed in the mid 1990s.
A previous sinkhole that opened up in February 2018 caused the closure of the leisure centre car park and despite concerns raised about the suitability of the Camp Close site for addition of a swimming pool, the scheme was granted approval at a council planning meeting in June 2019.
Following discovery of the second ‘void’ Stantec, an international engineering, design and consultancy practice, carried out an initial inspection and in a report, seen by the Stray Ferret, raised concerns about the load-bearing capacity of existing piles under the leisure centre, which would have been used to support the connection between it and the new pool.
The Stray Ferret has submitted two Freedom of Information requests to the council in an attempt to establish what additional costs have been incurred, on top of the original £10.2 million contract for the scheme.
In its response to the first request, the council said that the information it held was ‘confidential’. In its response to the second request, it said ‘the final costs are not yet known.’
Staff shortage at Harrogate council affects leisure and recycling
A shortage of staff at Harrogate Borough Council is causing delays to recycling collections and changes to timetables at leisure centres in the district.
The council, which employed 1,062 staff at the end of July, currently has 95 vacancies.
Most vacancies are in sport and leisure, however the council is also advertising jobs for receptionists, nursery nurses and lifeguards.
Last week, the authority was forced to delay recycling collections due to a shortage of drivers.
Unfortunately, due to driver shortages, we won’t be able to collect all recycling due to be collected this week.
If we haven’t collected yours by the end of the week, or if you have already received a text from us, please return your recycling to your property.
“Like many organisations across the country – in both the private and public sector – there are numerous services that are trying hard to fulfil specific roles.
“We are not immune to this and currently have around 95 jobs available across all council services that are either currently being advertised or are in the process of being filled.
“A number of these roles are available in our sport and leisure services and we are doing what we can to fill these so that all facilities can return to normal as soon as possible. We also have a smaller number of vacancies in our waste and recycling service but are optimistic that these will be filled in the coming weeks.
“As well as great colleagues, we offer competitive salaries, flexible working and a range of other benefits.”
Harrogate students inspired by England’s Euro 2020 run
Students at Rossett School have told the Stray Ferret that they have been inspired by England’s performance at Euro 2020.
With the national team preparing to take on Italy during the final on Sunday at Wembley, these pupils have been playing on the school’s new 3G pitch.
The school raised £10,000 through a fundraiser to help with the cost of resurfacing the pitch.
There was a clear bounce in their step and not just because of the rubber. The students are keen to follow in the footsteps of their footballing heroes.
(Left to right) Charlie Wright, William Parkinson, Lydia Corner and Poppy Mortimer.
The 40-bedroom Edwardian hotel was on the market for a guide price of £1.5 million.
It has been sold on behalf of long-standing owners the Hutchinson family by Colliers International.
The property agents brought the hotel to the commercial market for the first time since it was opened in 1906.
Julian Troup, head of UK hotels agency at Colliers, said:
“This sale marks a new chapter in the history of the Ripon Spa Hotel, and I look forward to seeing this renowned Yorkshire hotel benefitting from the high-quality of refurbishment for which The Inn Collection Group is synonymous.”
The hotel will be refurbished by the new owners
He added:
“There has been a noticeable change of mood in recent months among potential hotel purchasers.
“Activity has significantly increased, and the Ripon Spa Hotel attracted a good deal of interest from a diverse range of buyers before being secured by The Inn Collection Group.”
Located on Park Street in landscaped grounds of 5.75 acres and including croquet lawns, the three-star hotel was built complete with its own ballroom to accommodate high society in the early 1900s when Ripon Spa was operating in the cathedral city.
It continued to trade successfully long after Ripon Spa closed in 1947, although the hotel’s Turkish baths were eventually converted into The Turf, a popular public bar and bistro with horse-racing décor to complement the hotel’s more formal dining room.
The purchase of the Ripon Spa Hotel by The Inn Collection Group increases to 24 the portfolio of the Alchemy-backed hospitality company, which is based in Northumberland.
Sean Donkin, managing director of The Inn Collection Group, said:
“We are delighted to be welcoming the Ripon Spa Hotel into our portfolio.
“Its picturesque location in such a popular part of the UK makes it the perfect fit for The Inn Collection Group. and our offering.
“We’re excited to be furthering our expansion plans with such a great site, and are proud to be continuing to thrive during these challenging times for the hospitality sector.”
The reopening of the hotel will come as a relief to operators of tourist attractions, as well as Ripon City Council, which was concerned that the property might be sold for redevelopment involving other uses.
Harrogate Food Festival coming to the Stray this weekend
Harrogate Food and Drink Festival is set to arrive on the Stray this weekend for two days of food, drink, live music and cooking shows.
The outdoor event will be held on the Oatlands Drive area from 10am on Saturday June 26 to 7pm on Sunday June 27.
Visitors can expect about 100 stalls selling all types of produce, from jams and cheeses to Lebanese food, as well as artisan crafts.
Despite a four-week delay to the end of restrictions the event can still go ahead with its current measures. It will be encouraging social distancing, have hand sanitising stations around the site and provide extra toilets, tables and chairs.
Social distancing means the event does have a limited capacity, but organisers said tickets were still available. Each ticket is given an entry time to stagger arrivals through the day.
A festival spokesperson said:
“We are lucky to be a naturally socially distanced event with limited indoor areas. However, this year we have brought the entire festival outdoors, apart from the cookery theatre, which is in a marquee with the walls removed.”
It will be in the same area in which the town’s bonfire and fun fair is usually set up.
In 2019, the event was based in Ripley Castle for three days. It will return there for a second event on this year’s August bank holiday weekend.
Investigation won’t cause further delay of Ripon leisure development
Harrogate Borough Council (HBC) has confirmed that Ripon’s new swimming pool and refurbished leisure centre will open in November.
Last month, it was revealed that a new sinkhole had been discovered in 2020 near the leisure centre entrance.
This follows an incident in February 2018, when a sinkhole opened up on the centre’s car park.
However, the council says that investigation of the second void, and any remedial work required, will not cause further delay to the £10 million-plus project.
Following a report from consultant engineers, councillors approved additional spending of £110,000 to pay for the investigation.
The current insured value of the leisure centre is £3,796,135 plus 10% contents, which the authority would lose, should any damage be caused as a result of the work on site.
Once complete, the facility will include a six-lane, 25-metre pool, modern changing rooms, a sauna, an extended gym and an outside play area.
A spokesperson for HBC said:
“Thanks to this investment at Ripon Leisure Centre, the existing facility at Ripon Spa Baths will no longer be required.
“The sale, and redevelopment of the spa baths, will give this local listed building a new lease of life (subject to planning approval), retain key features and remain as a city landmark.”
The new pool offers a 70 per cent increase in water space compared with Ripon Spa Baths.
The improved leisure centre will also provide a new main entrance and lobby area, two new activity studios, a spin studio and meeting facilities.
Cllr Stanley Lumley, HBC’s cabinet member for culture, tourism and sport, added:
“The addition of the new swimming pool, and the improvements to the leisure centre, will be a major development for Ripon and the surrounding area.
“They’ll provide much needed modern facilities that will encourage a healthier and more active lifestyle for our residents and something they can be proud of.”
While construction activity continues, HBC has confirmed that Ripon’s Spa Baths, which is still up for sale, will remain open.
The spa building, with its pool that was added in the 1930s, reopened on May 14 after closing in March 2020 due to covid.
For sale signs remain in place outside the building.
