ISG Jackson Special Projects undertakes fast-track refurbishment at Fore Street Swimming Pool
(11/09/2009)

Fore Street is the second oldest operational swimming pool in the country. Fore Street is the first pool to be regenerated under a £4 million investment master plan in local swimming facilities, which the council, under its Team Ipswich banner, is using to promote the town and its impressive leisure amenities to international teams requiring a training base for the 2012 Olympics.

ISG Jackson Special Projects has been awarded a £479K project by Ipswich Borough Council to undertake a fast-track refurbishment and modernisation scheme at Fore Street Swimming Pool. The popular pool, which first opened in 1894, will be closed during the 12-week project, which commenced on the 17th August.

The scheme sees ISG Jackson Special Projects carry out a comprehensive programme of redecoration throughout the Victorian building, with new tiling on the pool surrounds and re-grouting of the pool itself. The contractor will install new lighting within the pool hall, replace and upgrade the filtration system and the building’s mechanical and electrical services to enhance operational efficiencies. A new pool cover will be installed to help retain heat and reduce overall running costs and existing flooring replaced across the changing rooms, toilets and staircase.

Fore Street’s meeting room will be enlarged to provide better facilities for groups and an improved vending area created. Externally, the contractor will repair or, where necessary, re-roof sections of the building, as well as repair the roof lights and replace lead work and guttering.

Stuart Talbot, divisional director for ISG Jackson Special Projects, commented: "The Fore Street Pool is an iconic building within Ipswich and this programme of refurbishment and modernisation will enable the facility to continue to provide an important service to the local community. As part of the backdrop of the wider investment in its leisure amenities, Ipswich Borough Council has identified the growing trend towards healthier lifestyles and the halo effect of the 2012 Olympics and is putting in place the infrastructure to support increasing demand on services.”