Billingham Forum FAQs
How long will the refurbishment take?
In order to carry out the works the Forum will close on 30th June 2009 and
re-open in January 2011. This is a total of 75 weeks (actual
construction).
Why are we going ahead with a full closure when initially it was
due to be a phased closure?
During 2007 when we carried out the 'option analysis' work which informed
Cabinet/Council's decision to opt for refurbishment, we anticipated that a
phased refurbishment would offer a number of benefits to the Council, Tees
Active Ltd and users of Billingham Forum. Primarily the benefits
encompassed the continuation of service and the ability to factor in any
maintenance works into early refurbishment works. At this time we
also advised Cabinet that a detailed procurement strategy would be produced
in order to ensure associated risk management issues would be fully
addressed and that the next stage of the design process would focus heavily
on 'value engineering' and 'cost effective procurement.'
As part of this procurement strategy the Council carried out some
preliminary discussions with major contractors who indicated that it would
be preferable to carry out the refurbishment works under a full closure.
The contractors also indicated that this would deliver significant
time and cost savings whilst minimising risk. As a result, Council
Officers and Tees Active Ltd undertook the feasibility analysis (since
updated with the preferred contractor, Morgan Ashurst's input) comparing
the advantages and disadvantages of both a full and phased closure.
Following consultation with numerous Council officers, Tees Active Ltd,
Billingham Members and the relevant Portfolio Holders a decision was made
to carry out a full closure based upon the following reasons:
? Overall cost savings to the contract - it has been identified that a
saving of approximately £1.9m is achievable by using the full closure
development against a phased partial closure. This ensures that no
overspend would be projected and as such no reduction in specification
would be required to meet any overspend. Therefore the scheme is able to be
delivered at the projected cost of £14.6m.
? Better managed Health & Safety and overall site, project and risk
management
? An anticipated 12-15 months time saving i.e. estimated 18 months for full
closure whereas the phased closure was estimated to span 2.5 years
? Grand opening for the whole building as oppose to piecemeal (n.b.
piecemeal has varying insurance and Health & Safety impacts)
As previously indicated, Tees Active Limited, who manage the building on
the Council's behalf and Billingham Members are in full support of a full
closure and understand that an investment of this magnitude needs to be
approached with diligence and sensitivity.
Tees Active Ltd and the Council are committed to working with users to
minimise their inconvenience and support them through the refurbishment
period.
It should be noted that all of the Forum facilities would have been subject
to a period of some closure under a phased refurbishment. It was
initially estimated that the pool and theatre would have to close for
approximately 8 months, and the dry sports and ice rink for around 11
months each but working with our contractors it is now known it will take
at least 15 months and more likely 18 months to refurbish the ice arena
alone.
What has been/is being done to help the user groups at the Forum
during the closure?
Tees Active Ltd and the Council are fully committed to assisting
individuals and/or groups who need support and have been meeting with users
and user groups for several months to discuss their needs and how best we
can support them during the refurbishment period. The public were
made aware of the closure a year in advance so that where possible
alternative arrangements can be made.
Presently, Tees Active Ltd is working to co-ordinate the relocation of
existing user groups for the period of refurbishment. Additionally,
casual, pay and play style opportunities are also being reviewed and
information relating to the relocation of these services/facilities will be
provided in the near future. Further to this, specific activities
such as the 'Sporting Start for Kids' in partnership with the Primary Care
Trust are also being planned. All of this information will be
disseminated across the Borough via the Council and Tees Active Ltd
websites, Stockton News and community meetings / the Residents Network etc.
prior to the refurbishment closure of Billingham Forum
Can a temporary ice rink be provided during the
closure?
Last year following Cabinet approval an initial feasibility study was
carried out to determine whether a temporary ice rink could be provided.
Unfortunately, it was not found to be viable because of the level of
investment and risks associated with delivering a facility of this scale,
nature and size - a suitable site would need to be identified, planning
would need to be sought, and there would be car parking, accessibility and
drainage issues to consider. Public safety and the impact on the road
network and surrounding area (noise etc) would also need to be taken into
account. The costs associated with providing a temporary ice rink
would also be prohibitive. It is considered to be more prudent to use
the £14.6m secured at Cabinet to fully upgrade the Forum to be enjoyed by
everyone for the next 25+ years rather than use a significant amount of
these monies to provide a temporary ice rink for 18 months.
However, a private sector company has seen the closure as an opportunity to
provide a temporary ice rink and the Council is currently assisting the
company by appraising potential site options. If a suitable site is
identified the private sector company would have to consider whether a
temporary ice rink would be feasible as it would be provided entirely at
their own risk and cost.
How will the ice pad opening in Durham affect the
Forum?
If the proposed ice rink in Durham opens during the Forum's closure it
would be beneficial to local people as it would provide an ice facility
closer to Stockton Borough/Tees Valley.
(Are you not concerned it will take some of your customer base?)
When the Forum reopens it will be refurbished to provide for our sporting
and leisure needs. Billingham Forum has a very loyal customer base,
local people relate to it - it is part of their heritage which is one
of the main reasons the Council has committed to investing £14.6m to
refurbish it as opposed to funding a new build leisure centre. It
would be expected that any new rink at Durham would be visited by people to
the north; Durham and its surrounding areas; and the Forum would be used
primarily by people in the Tees Valley and further south ensuring a state
of the art facility available for all.
Is any support being given to the Billingham Bombers - they'll be
out for 2 seasons?
The works to the ice rink are the driver for the refurbishment
programme and once completed will realise great benefits to users such as
the Billingham Bombers.
Given the extent of the works required to the ice pad itself, it will be
necessary to close it for at least 15 months but more likely 18 months to
allow these works to go ahead. This is the quickest it can be done -
it is not possible to phase this work.
It is possible should the new rink at Durham be developed that this could
be used as a temporary base for ice activity usually taken in the forum.
Discussions would be held should that avenue be available.
What facilities are to be included in the refurbished Forum?
? A standardised swimming pool (6x25m), with the creation of an additional
training pool together with the retained learner pool. Refurbished
changing rooms, toilets & spectator areas
? The gym will be extended to offer an additional 30 health & fitness
stations making 70 in total & changing facilities will be
improved
? Structural improvements will be carried out to the theatre & it will
also benefit from a new enhanced entrance.
? The ice rink is to benefit from a new ice pad, an improved café /
refreshment area. Upgrading of the spectator area, toilets &
skate hire distribution point and changing facilities are also to benefit
from the works.
? The indoor 2 lane bowls court will benefit from a new floor together with
new decoration throughout.
? A 4 court sports hall
? 2 squash courts
? A Multi-purpose room
? An Enhanced reception area
? A New dance studio
? An Exhibition space in the entrance is to be made available for bespoke
art work
? A Children's Play barn
? A New central café area is to be created to allow visitors to the centre
to relax and refresh themselves.
? More stylised appearance created through the provision of a glass atrium
covering a modern central hub, around the new glazed entrance.
How long will the refurbishment maintain the Forum
for?
25 years +. The refurbishment scheme includes a planned programme of
maintenance works to ensure the life of the Forum beyond the next 25 years.
The costs associated with the development include future proofing the
various elements of the works and putting in place appropriate management
and maintenance regimes to repair and or replace as necessary any aspect of
the works for the next 25 years and beyond.
Will the sale of the Town Centre pay for it?
The capital receipt from the sale of the Town Centre has been invested in
order to offset the loss of annual revenue from Town Centre businesses
/retailers. The Council however is committed to upgrading the Forum
and has identified a significant amount of resource (£644,000) per annum
for the next 25 years to fund works. In addition Tees Active Ltd have
also committed to a significant investment of £450,000 per annum for the
next 25 years. In addition the Council is in the process of securing
£500,000 capital from Sport England (subject to approval) and £200,000
capital from the Department of Culture, Media and Sports SWIM initiative
which is administered by Sport England. (subject to approval)
Will Billingham tax payers be paying for this for the next 25
years?
Billingham and Borough residents will not see an increase in their Council
Tax as a result of this scheme.
Where will people be able to access sporting activities when the
Forum is closed?
Presently, Tees Active Ltd is working to co-ordinate the relocation of
existing user groups for the period of refurbishment. Additionally,
casual, pay and play style opportunities are also being reviewed and
information relating to the relocation of these services/facilities will be
provided in the near future. Further to this, specific activities
such as the 'Sporting Start for Kids' in partnership with the Primary Care
Trust are also being planned. All of this information will be
disseminated across the Borough via the Council and Tees Active Ltd
websites, Stockton News and community meetings / the Residents Network etc.
prior to the refurbishment closure of Billingham Forum.
As a member /user of the Forum you will be able to use Tees Active's other
leisure facilities in the Borough which include:
? Thornaby Pavilion - in the process of benefiting from a £1.4M investment
which includes the recent installation of a new 70 station gym with brand
new state of the art fitness equipment and a refurbished 6 lane indoor bowl
centre. The café, crèche and nursery, changing rooms & entrance are
also being refurbished. The works will all be complete by spring 09, before
the Forum closes. The Pavilion also offers a large indoor sports hall, and
a range of Health and Fitness classes.
? Thornaby Pool - a recently refurbished 25 metre, five-lane swimming pool
that is very much family orientated. It is very popular with early morning
swimmers, offers an extensive swimming programme for local schools, and
family fun sessions and Weekend Pool Parties with fun floats and inflatable
? SPLASH - Stockton's newest leisure facility has been designed to meet
21st century needs and offers a 25 metre pool with wave machine, water
features, spa pool and flume slide. Its Activ8 fitness suite is currently
being increased from 45 to 75 stations as part of an exciting extension
programme (£2.5M) set to be complete in November 2009. Two new multi
functional rooms will also be created to accommodate a wider range of
activities, many of which will be brand new. A modern, larger café will
also be built alongside new changing accommodation. Additionally, the
Council has bid for £100,000 from Department of Culture, Media and Sport
(DCMS) SWIM initiative, administered by Sport England, to improve the
family swim changing offer.
In addition Tees Active Ltd will be providing free swimming for under 16's
and over 60's for 2 years as part of the Department of Culture, Media and
Sports SWIM initiative.
Please refer to Tees Active's website http://www.teesactive.co.uk/ for more
information.
What will happen to the fish / tree / commemorative plaques?
We are liaising with the Council's Animal Welfare officers
regarding the safety and welfare of the fish currently in the Forum pond.
It is intended that a new home will be found for them.
Unfortunately, as the tree would not survive any replanting, it will have
to be removed in order to complete the scheme and incorporate the outdoor
courtyard into the refurbished building. Officers will attempt to
take cuttings before it is removed.
All commemorative plaques will be retained.
Is the design affordable?
Robust financial analysis has been carried out with the Council, Tees
Active and Morgan Ashurst to ensure that the scheme can be delivered within
the £14.6m budget.
Of course, with a building of this age and scale there may be additional
works however an extensive risk management exercise has been completed to
identify any such works. We have set aside a construction contingency
risk within the constraints of the existing budget to account for this.
These risks are continually analysed to determine whether the risks
are realised and if so what affect against the budget and programme this
would have.
Local Authorities are able to borrow as much money as required, without
government consent, provided they can demonstrate that the planned
borrowing is affordable.
Billingham Forum FAQs
Contact Us
Contact: Regeneration Project Manager
Louise McDonald
Municipal Buildings,
Regeneration & Economic Development,
PO Box 34,
Church Road,
Stockton-on-Tees
TS18 1LD
Tel: 01642 528942
Email:
louise.mcdonald
@stockton.gov.uk
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