widget/exchange-29
widget/exchange-30widget/exchange-33
widget/exchange-31

News / New gym part of £1m Clickimin revamp

The glazed area of the Clickimin would be demolished and replaced with a new gym, entrance and reception area. Photo: Shetland News/Neil Riddell

CLICKIMIN Leisure Complex could be set for an overhaul costing in the region of £1 million – incorporating the creation of a new, expanded fitness gym and a revamped reception and entrance.

The move is partly designed to accommodate the additional demands when pupils from the new Anderson High School begin using the leisure centre for PE classes.

Shetland Recreational Trust (SRT) has just opened a well-received £1.9 million indoor football pitch, which forms part of the new AHS project, and it has now lodged plans to build a 250 square metre gym with Shetland Islands Council planners.

If the plans are approved it would result in the demolition of the existing glass walkway between the swimming pool and dry side to make way for the gym, along with a new entrance and single reception area.

SRT general manager James Johnston said various factors including the school’s impending completion had prompted the trust to commission PJP Architects to draw up the new design.

offset-carousel/post-mobile/0

The centre “always gets lots of complaints” about draughts blowing through from the glazed partition into the part of the swimming pool used by toddlers. This development would eliminate such draughts and make both sides of the building more environmentally efficient.

Creating a single reception area serving as the “operational hub of the whole complex”, replacing the existing two reception desks, would enable the trust to make staffing efficiencies.

In addition the existing Apex fitness gym – first opened 15 years ago and currently situated upstairs from the main sports hall – has struggled to cope with demand at peak times in recent years.

The existing glazed canopy between the centre’s car park and the entrance would be removed and replaced with a covered walkway and a “pavilion-style” roof would be installed over the new entrance, reception and gym – avoiding the need for alterations to existing roofs.

Become a member of Shetland News

 

It would also create a single entrance to the complex from the car park side of the building – closing off the revolving door entrance from Lochside and eliminating use of what PJP describes as a “tortuous series of ramps and steps”. They would be removed and the area would be landscaped.

Existing railings along the Lochside footpath would be extended and, while removing access from that side of the building may result in some users facing a slightly longer walk, PJP believes the proposals “offer a better solution for the vast majority”.

The architects’ design statement says the car park side is “now well established as the main access route” and is expected to become “even more heavily used” once the AHS is completed and opened.

Johnston said he also felt a single entrance would make it easier to police big crowds arriving for events such as concerts.

offset-carousel/post-mobile/1

He said the plans were “very much at the development stage”. If planning permission is secured, building warrants will also need to be attained before attention turns to putting a funding package together.

The SRT is working with prospective funders from LEADER, a European Union initiative that forms part of the Scottish Government’s rural development programme between 2014 and 2020.

While the proposals will only be fully costed after work has gone out to tender, Johnston said the trust was looking at a “ballpark £1 million” sum to be found from a combination of external money and its own resources.

Become a member of Shetland News

Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider paying for membership to get additional features and services: -

  • Remove non-local ads;
  • Bookmark posts to read later;
  • Exclusive curated weekly newsletter;
  • Hide membership messages;
  • Comments open for discussion.

If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a member of Shetland News by either making a single payment, or setting up a monthly, quarterly or yearly subscription.

 
Categories
widget/pd_widget-6widget/pd_widget-7widget/exchange-53widget/exchange-54widget/pd_widget-8widget/exchange-55widget/pd_widget-9widget/exchange-56

Newsletters

Subscribe to a selection of different newsletters from Shetland News, varying from breaking news delivered on the minute, to a weekly round-up of the opinion posts. All delivered straight to your inbox.

Daily Briefing Newsletter Weekly Highlights Newsletter Opinion Newsletter Life in Shetland Newsletter

JavaScript Required

We're sorry, but Shetland News isn't fully functional without JavaScript enabled.
Head over to the help page for instructions on how to enable JavaScript on your browser.

Your Privacy

We use cookies on our site to improve your experience.
By using our service, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy.

Browser is out-of-date

Shetland News isn't fully functional with this version of .
Head over to the help page for instructions on updating your browser for more security, improved speed and the best overall experience on this site.

Interested in Notifications?

Get notifications from Shetland News for important and breaking news.
You can unsubscribe at any time.

Have you considered becoming a member of Shetland News?

If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please consider paying for membership and get the following features and services: -

  • Remove non-local ads;
  • Bookmark posts to read later;
  • Exclusive curated weekly newsletter;
  • Hide membership messages;
  • Comments open for discussion.