The opening of the commercial units at the new Sea Lanes swimming pool has been delayed by months because of damage caused by a crash at this month’s Speed Trials.
Sea Lanes today announced the first of the tenants who were due to move in before Christmas – and who include Bison Beer, two food outlets and a children’s nursery.
But it says the crash has put back the opening until February next year.
However, construction of the 50m heated freshwater pool is due to start next month, once Volks Railway has closed, and it should open in spring next year.
Joe McNulty, Sea Lanes Brighton Director, said: “It is frustrating that the crash during the annual Speed Trials caused damage to a wall that has impacted our construction of the small business units at Sea Lanes.
“We will soon be back on track and are pleased to be welcoming local businesses to Sea Lanes. If any other local businesses are interested we still have two units available.
“The pool is still on track and will provide the much-needed swimming facilities in Brighton. We look forward to welcoming you all to the first National Open Water Swimming Centre of Excellence next spring.”
The crash happened at the Speed Trials on Saturday, 3 September, when an 88-year-old driver lost control of his car, crashing first into a Victorian lamp post before ploughing into one of the incomplete units.
South Downs Leisure, the trust which runs the Splashpoint pool in Worthing, will be operating the swimming pool.
Sea Lanes estimates the whole development will create over one hundred new jobs for the local area including lifeguards, a pool general manager and a learn to swim coordinator.
The tenants who have already signed up are Hove Village Nursery, Bison Beer, bbq specialists Wood X Coal and fried egg and coffee shop FIKA. Two small business units remain available.
The freshwater, partially heated pool will be 50m long by 12m wide, and approximately 1.2m deep.
There will also be changing rooms, a pool reception area and a plant room.
The pool will sit on a concrete raft, similar to those constructed for the commercial units, partly sunk into the beach with a concrete retaining wall.
To express an interest in the Sea Lanes business units please contact Fludes Commercial by calling 01273 727070 or by emailing sealanes@flude.com.
That sounds like a convenient excuse – I’m finding hard to believe that this accident could have caused damage enough to have delayed the project opening by 2/3 months.
Cobblers ! It was already never going to be open on time. I have never seen any workers on the site.
Breaking news update – on Monday 26th – contractors (over five of them !) seen on site all looking busy. Walls going up. It’s like something go unblocked ?
So I walked past again yesterday and it had all gone quiet again. There are still only partially constructed footings and flooring. No unit it completed. No unit has a roof. Less that half of the units have any walls. I did notice the opening soon sign had gone.
I am afraid the credibility of mr Joe McNulty has to be in doubt here. Is it cash flow, no rental demand, or poor project management I wonder. Will the taxpayer be left with a clean up bill ?
Perhaps a journalist could look into it ?
Crazy project!
Will go the same way as Jason’s erection.
October 4th.
Just to correct some of the comments here:
The work is well underway at the new Sealanes site after the delay described in this article. If you go there this week you will see buildings being weather sealed and with roofs added.
The work has also begun on the beach to build the new swimming pool, south of the railway line.
Obviously this site work was delayed last year when Southern Water raised the objection that their overflow tunnel was somewhere beneath the beach in that area. Once that location issue was resolved, the work was further delayed by the Volk’s railway being open for their summer season.
The last Volk’s train ran on Sunday, October 2nd, and the line is now closed allowing digger access to the beach. So the swimming pool area is now fenced off and the diggers are at work creating a large hole in the beach.
I understand the plan now to complete the work over the winter period, in time for a Spring opening in 2023.
I have no commercial connection with this business.