Funding shortfall solved in revamp of Govanhill Baths
AFUNDING shortfall due to rising costs that threatened the completion of the Govanhill Baths restoration project is to be plugged by extra public money.
The costs for the project to reopen the pools increased by around 25% from around £9.5 million to £11.9m, due to price increases and shortages.
It has been noted that market issues associated with Covid and Brexit, including the rise in the cost of materials and skilled labour shortages, have pushed the final estimated cost of the project.
Govanhill Community Baths Trust convened a meeting of its funders to discuss the predicted funding gap and to ask for an increase in grant awards.
The Scottish Government, through the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund, had initially allocated £3.275m to the baths, while Glasgow City Council has provided £500,000.
Other significant funders included National Lottery Heritage Fund and National Lottery Community Fund with £2m and £1.2m respectively.
The project aims to make the building wind and watertight, preventing any further deterioration in the fabric of the building and create a range of flexible activity spaces and re-open the ladies’ pool and learners’ pool.
The Scottish Government agreed to approve an additional grant of £2m, leaving £500,000 to plug the estimated shortfall.
Councillors on Glasgow City Council’s City Administration Committee are being asked to approve the £500,000 needed at a meeting next week.
Kenny McLean, convener for housing, development, built heritage and land use, said in a report to councillors: “Following many years of decline that resulted in the closure of the baths, the redevelopment project aims to bring two of the pools back into full use.
“This will achieve two main heritage outcomes: maintaining the building’s uniquely complete built heritage through the continuation of its original use, and, through GBCT’s programme of outreach activities, ensuring multi-cultural engagement within the local community.”
Councillor McLean added: “Like all capital investment and construction projects nationwide, the project is experiencing construction cost increases in line with the national market due to issues associated with Covid, Brexit, construction materials cost volatility and skilled labour shortages, and more recently, the situation in Ukraine.”
The council said funders asked for guarantees over “robust contractor management” and design team management” to ensure value for money was being achieved.
Mr McLean said representatives from the funders visited the site to look at physical progress and interrogate the project team in more detail as to the financial challenges facing the project.
The project is experiencing construction cost increases