Issue 1 July 2012ACTON TOWN HALLNEWSLETTERThe well-known front of the Town Hall and the chimney at the back of the building are Grade II listed so will be restored. The Kings Rooms and Acton Baths, which closed in December 2011, had become run-down and outdated. They will be demolished and a new three-floor centre built in their place. The structure of Kings Room, however, will be retained to create a new entrance to the building on Uxbridge Road.Ground floor - a new eight-lane, 25-metre swimming pool and a 12 x 8-metre training pool with moveable floor, which will improve access into the pool for disabled people. There will be new changing rooms and offices for the Council’s Adults, Children and Families services department.First floor - a new gym (which is larger than the previous gym) with glass on the front of it. Like other council gyms, it will offer membership prices that are more affordable than most private gyms. Two new studios for fitness and dance classes and new changing rooms. A new library, located in the area that is currently the Assembly Hall with an IT training suite.Please note:The library will continue to operate from its current building until the new centre is complete, after which it will move into its new home. The old library building will then be sold to help fund the improvements.Second floor - Council offices and spaces for its Adults, Children and Families services including day care facilities, therapy rooms and drop-in services. Community rooms of different sizes will be available for hire and local groups will also be able to use the meeting rooms in the council offices at evenings and weekends if they are not in use.Planning consent grantedThe exciting new community and leisure facilities in Acton have been given planning consent. Listed building and conservation area consents were granted by the Secretary of State in April for Acton Town Hall, which is Grade II listed. This means the Town Hall can be refurbished and a new library and council offices will be created. There will also be a new building linked to the Town Hall that will house the leisure centre (with two swimming pools and a gym) and community spaces.Contractor Willmott Dixon has started getting sub-contractors for the construction, and plan to start on site in August 2012.The Acton Town Hall regeneration project aims to provide new and improved leisure, library, community and civic facilities at the Acton Town Hall complex where Acton Baths, Kings Rooms and Acton Town Hall extension (the part of the Town Hall that runs along Uxbridge Road) are currently located.Why is the regeneration needed?The regeneration of the complex is needed because the buildings were built in the late 1800s. Since then, the population in Acton has grown and all these buildings need significant repairs and cost a lot to maintain. The regeneration of the site will bring new modern facilities whilst keeping the unique heritage aspects of the site.What will we get?for further information go towww.ealing.gov.uk/actontownhallWillmott DixonWillmott Dixon has been appointed by Ealing Council to provide services prior to construction starting. They have been carrying out surveys and exploratory works including getting information on soil and rock around the site to help design the foundations for the structure and looking at groundwater levels. Surveys of the existing building are also taking place such as those looking at asbestos and existing utility services. Liasing with potential utility suppliers is also being done to make sure that while the construction works take place, the rest of the site will still have access to these vital services. Acton Town Hall is currently served by the same plant that serves Acton Baths and the plant room is located in the basement of the Baths. Temporary utility services have been arranged that will ensure that when the Baths are demolished the services in the old part of the Town Hall can still function until the building is vacated in 2014.What is happening to the Baths now?The Baths closed to the public in December 2011 to allow for the site to be prepared for demolition.Surveys took place in and around the site to locate underground utility cables and the basement was also looked at to examine ground water. Abnormal ground conditions will require some work while the basement is constructed and demolitions take place. Further surveys have taken place with specialist advice sought. The base of the chimney has also been assessed to look at its foundations.Over the past month, refurbishment and demolition surveys have taken place. These include asbestos surveys to ensure that the building is demolished in a safe way that minimises contamination risk from this substance.What are the key dates for the project?EC4228 Produced by Ealing Council Marketing & CommunicationsPrinted on 100% recycled paperKey milestonesDatesPlanning application submittedAchieved in December 2011Refurbishment and demolition surveysAchieved in March 2012Planning consents grantedAchieved in April 2012Stage E design completeAchieved in May 2012Stage F commencesAchieved in May 2012Temporary supply installations completeJuly 2012Demolition of Baths and Kings RoomsAugust 2012 (to be completed end of November)Construction stage commencesDecember 2012Construction complete for new centre providingleisure, pools, library, community space and council officesApril 2014Final noteWhile we appreciate that the community will be without facilities until the new centre is built, we believe the project will be worth the wait.Did you know you can find out more aboutthe Acton Town Hall development online?Visit www.ealing.gov.uk/actontownhallAlternatively, email Shehzad Ahmed,Project Co-ordinator Ahmedshe@ealing.gov.ukor call him on 020 8825 9234You can also register for email updates byvisiting www.ealing.gov.uk/registerand choose 'Acton' as an area of interest.
Nicola Howard ● 5152d