Community facilities at bathing pools take shape

RG Falla is undertaking the main building works which are taking shape, with Geomarine having completed some of the remedial work poolside already. The balconies and terraces under construction offer fabulous views across the islands as well as back towards Town. Pathways are being built and the shell of the building is such that it takes little imagination to picture the finished product. A lookout point that will feature reclaimed granite cobbles is another area that can be used by the whole community.

‘Sea swimming is just so popular now and these facilities support not just activity in the pools but around the whole area,’ said Ms Bonner-Morgan.

Accessibility is key and there will be a lift to connect the upper levels and there are proposals for a continuous path that will lead down to the water itself. If all goes according to plan, a wet/dry wheelchair will be available to use.

The project is a good example of how the third sector and government can work well together. One way of raising funds has been the opportunity to sponsor cladding on the outside of the changing rooms.

Individual's names or a chosen message will be engraved onto the cladding, giving islanders the chance to contribute to the capital costs of the project and be a part of the community.

There has been a great response to date from companies, individuals and groups – such as sea-swimming groups – to sponsor the cladding.

‘It’s an egalitarian way of sponsoring,’ said Ms Bonner-Morgan.

The cladding, which is weather and rot-resistant, is manufactured using waste plastic packaging that is processed into pellets and then injection moulded into cladding boards.

Ms Bonner-Morgan said that most of the first tranche of cladding had been sponsored and the next tranche would be available in the new year.

n To find out more about sponsoring cladding, contact Helen Bonner-Morgan, email: contactus@vivelavallette.com.

tel: 07781 451472.