THESE images provide a glimpse into how Coventry’s new 50-metre swimming pool at the Alan Higgs Centre is shaping up.
Operators say they are set to pour in the first drops of water for the new Olympic sized pool, nearing its first phase of testing in February.
Developer Galliford Try has finished a three-month process of installing the pool’s concrete frame.
It will accommodate the 500-seater viewing platform for the pool, as well as beginning work on the new 632 square foot fitness suite.
The Alan Higgs Centre – which is operated by CV Life – will take delivery of the pool’s moveable floor from Holland in the summer.
The pool’s first testing phase comes after a busy period of transformation for the site where the Alan Higgs Centre’s old 3G indoor pitch used to sit – this has included removing the astro turf and re-using it at other leisure centres across the city.
Project Manager at Galliford Try Hugh Mattacola is overseeing the construction of the pool ahead of its scheduled opening later this year.
He said: “It’s rare that we are given the task of installing a swimming pool within an existing building, so a lot of preparation has gone into ensuring the current structure can accommodate a pool of this size.
“We have made fantastic progress with the build so far, and filling the pool up for the first time will be a major step forward for the project.
“Installing the moveable floor will be another major milestone for us – the floor itself is split into two parts and will float on the water when in use – held in by tension wires so installing it will be an intricate process.”
A 632 square foot state-of-the-art health suite which includes a sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi, along with a fitness suite comprising of more than 100 stations is also being built at the Alan Higgs Centre.
The pool and health suite will operate alongside the new indoor and outdoor 3G football pitches at the venue which now sit adjacent to the swimming pool development, along with an existing four-court sports hall.
To keep up-to-date with the pool’s development follow @cvlifenews on twitter.
