La Vallette redevelopment is shaping up nicely...
‘STEADY and focused’ progress is being made on the new cafe, changing rooms and community areas at La Vallette.
Work to redevelop the building started in January last year and Vive La Vallette community manager Helen Bonner-Morgan said the developers should be finished on the site by mid-April.
Aside from a cafe with indoor seating in place of the old kiosk, there will be a balcony with additional seats overlooking the pool and several picnic tables in front of a counter where food and drink can be purchased by those who prefer to sit outdoors.
The other two main additions to the facilities will be a glassed room on top of the cafe, which Ms Bonner-Morgan said is being called the upper pavilion.
This area has had its roof fitted and space for a lift shaft and toilets has been made.
It is intended to provide a flexible-use space where community groups can offer activities that promote health and wellbeing.
Stepping down out of this area will take people to an open terrace overlooking the pool which Ms Bonner-Morgan said is intended to be used as a flexible open area.
Nearby is set to be a cobbled lookout point, only the base concrete disc of which is in place at the moment.
The third new idea is having the cafe and seating area linked to the changing rooms below and a staircase has already been installed.
The changing rooms offer indoor rinse showers, coat hooks and benches and are intended to be open permanently.
‘Progress is steady and focused. We really, really want to get this place open,’ said Ms Bonner-Morgan.
The next milestone in the development will be the installation of the large picture windows which will feature on the front of the building and the glass for these is due to arrive in the island in the middle of March.
With RG Falla working on the building, Geomarine is tackling the remedial and reconstruction work at the Ladies’ Pool before turning its attention to the neighbouring Children’s Pool.
Making the site more accessible is a major part of the work being done and this carries over to accessing the pool itself. A walkway is being built enabling access to the pool for people in wheelchairs or with reduced mobility.
A campaign to raise funds towards the work has already been started, with ‘Sea Donkey’ Adrian Sarchet calling on swimmers to join him on Saturday 20 August to spend an hour in the pool alongside him as he undertakes a 24-hour swim.
n Registration for the challenge is open. Details can be found at www.thebathingpools.com. Spaces are limited and early entry is recommended via Race Nation bit.ly/3HDkAQk.
