SWIMMERS will soon be making waves in a new state-of-the-art swimming pool at a Chester school.
Award-winning builders James Carroll Ltd have begun work on a £700,000 project to transform the existing pool facilities at The Queen’s Lower School on Liverpool Road into a hi-tech timber, glass and steel building.
Carroll’s senior estimator Malcolm Clayfield said: “The pool itself is in good condition which is why it is being retained but the envelope surrounding it has been totally demolished.”
He added: “We have made use of advanced building techniques and materials with a timber glulam structural frame which involves narrow sections of timber laminated together for strength.
“One wall will be almost completely glass fronted while the rest will be finished in steel and facing brick.
“The school hasn’t been able to use the pool for some time which has been a shame for the pupils but by the time we’ve finished in February they will have a wonderful building and facilities.”
The project has been welcomed by headmistress Felicity Taylor, who said: “The frame is all from sustainable timber so it’s very eco-friendly. It’s a fantastic building and the children are very interested in it.
“James Carroll Ltd have proved to be most reliable, keeping to deadlines and appointments without fail – despite the terrible weather we have had.
“It will be wonderful for the school to have a swimming pool back on site as we have had to transport pupils around Chester to provide swimming lessons. We will be able to provide extra swimming and a swimming club – we may even discover the next Rebecca Adlington.”
It’s a far cry from the school’s original building, erected in 1969: “That was a tremendous effort with the parents collecting the money for it. The girls even grew mushrooms in the cellar to sell to raise funds,” recalls Felicity.
