Scotland

Tollcross International Swimming Centre makes a splash

Premier Construction Hospitality Rail- No Photo
Written by Roma Publications

A £14 million project to transform Tollcross International Swimming Centre into a world class sporting venue continues to progress swimmingly.

The project has been implemented by Glasgow City Council and Glasgow Life. Once completed, Tollcross International Swimming Centre will provide a permanent training and recreational facility for the local community. The centre will also become the competition venue for swimming events at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Barr Construction is the main contractor for the project, whilst Glasgow City Council’s in-house design team is responsible for the building’s design work and John Arnott Associates is providing a full clerk of works services on the site.

Forge Leisure is supplying the Centre with a heat retention system which will cover the pool when the facility is not in use. The cover system will retain the heat within the pool to reduce energy costs.

The refurbishment of Tollcross International Swimming Centre includes the construction of a six-lane 50 metre warm-up pool, the installation of 1,000 new spectator seats and a brand new fitness suite with over 100 pieces of equipment. A brand new dance studio will also be created, whilst changing facilities will be upgraded and the café will receive a makeover.

During the refurbishment works high-level steel work will be repaired, new floor and wall tiles will be fitted and up to 3,000 temporary spectator seats will be installed solely for use during the Games.

Additional work includes an extension to the existing car park, along with associated landscaping and drainage features.

As part of the project a new community area will replace Shettleston Burgh Halls, which was destroyed by a fire in 2008. The new community facility will be located at the front of the building and will comprise a main hall, a kitchen, bar, a number of function rooms, toilets and storage areas.

In order to accommodate the new features of the Centre, front and rear extensions have been constructed and the existing roofline has been re-profiled.

In December 2011 a crucial stage in the construction process was reached with the installation of a structural truss measuring 78 metres x 7.5 metres x 4.2 metres and weighing 152 tonnes. The truss was installed by two 500-tonne cranes and was used to form the framework of the building extension.

The installation of the truss supports the roof of the pool and aided in the removal of the existing support columns. Due to the length of the truss, the support structure was split into sections and delivered to the site via eight different vehicles.

Glasgow City Council Executive Member for the Commonwealth, Councillor Archie Graham, said:

“Work is progressing well on a facility that can host swimming competitions at the highest level and the new centre will be a fantastic new facility for Glasgow, benefiting the city for generations to come.

“The installation of the truss was a landmark stage in the creation of Tollcross International Swimming Centre.”

Shona Robison, Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport, added:

“This venue will not only showcase the world class facilities available in Glasgow, it will leave a lasting legacy for the local community and the city as a whole.”

Tollcross International Swimming Centre is scheduled for completion in spring 2013.

About the author

Roma Publications