Press Release

City Baths Temporary Closure For Major Works

Monday 10th December 2007

The City Baths at William Street is to close for a seven-week period to allow for the completion of plant refurbishment works to facilitate the conversion from oil to natural mains gas. The works come just weeks after natural mains gas was connected to Lisnagelvin Leisure Centre.

Works on the facility commenced back in October on a 17 week programme to install new boilers, hot water infrastructure and new pool filtration pipework. The programmed closure period commences today Monday, 10 December and will continue through to Monday 28 January 2008.

As part of the general refurbishment work, the swimming pool will be completely drained for the first time in over 25 years to allow for additional pool outlets to be installed. John Doherty, the Manager of the facility explained that while the pool has never been completely emptied, pool water quality is checked several times per day and high standards of cleanliness and filtration processes are in place to ensure the pool water is kept continuously clean.

Ciaran McCartie, Head of Property and Fleet Management within the City Engineer’s Department of Derry City Council is overseeing the project and commented: “The substantive part of the work has been underway since the start of October. At this stage in the programme it was necessary to include this closure in particular to facilitate the installation of additional outlets in the main pool. The closure period also provides us with a rare opportunity to carry out general maintenance works in the pool halls and entrance lobby that would otherwise have disrupted services.”

Leo Strawbridge, Energy Manager with Derry City Council said: “Council are replacing the oil fired boiler plant with the assistance of a conversion grant from Firmus Energy. We are delighted to have the opportunity to install this cost effective and more environmentally sound fuel source. The installation of natural gas at the City Baths will enable us to provide an efficient hot water system for the facility and significantly reduce the amount of carbon emissions produced at the site.”

John Doherty, Manager at the City Baths said the public, regular users and clubs had been informed of the closure and every effort would be made to accommodate them at the Council's other leisure facilities.

“Due to the scale of the work involved it was impossible for us to keep the facility open to the public and we hope the temporary closure will not be too much of an inconvenience for our users. The City Baths has been an iconic building in the city since it first opened its doors in 1958 and staff are delighted that the two pools, steam rooms and fitness suite will be heated by a more efficient fuel that will reduce operating costs.”

The chairman of the Development Committee, Councillor Gerard Diver welcoming the commencement of the refurbishment work said the Council remained committed to investing in sport and the development of leisure facilities in the area.

Ends

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