Work begins off-site on shelters
15-Jan-2010 18:09:34
Work has begun on the construction of three public shelters which are to be installed in three of our parks.
Hertsmere Borough Council has used lottery funding to commission arts and environment organisation Green Heart Partnership (GHP) and design company Superblue to create unique shelters at The Moatfield in Bushey, Furzefield in Potters Bar and Phillimore Recreation Ground in Radlett.
It had been hoped that the shelters would be ready on each site by the end of January but GHP have now advised that installation will be later than this.
Councillor Brenda Batten, Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Culture and Health, explained: "Design concepts for the shelters were agreed at the end of last year and from there the designers have been working to identify fabricators, source materials and prepare for installation.
"We had been advised that they would be ready in January, but since the designs were agreed the price of steel has increased and threatened to put the project over budget. This meant that we have agreed to slightly change some of the materials the designers had planned to use in order to keep it in budget. As a result, the timetable has slipped slightly but the designers have assured us this will cause a minor delay."
The designs themselves remain the same and construction work has begun. The designs are being built off-site and then they will be installed at each park when they are ready.
Cllr Batten added: "I think all three designs look great and should be welcome additions to each park. They have been designed so the whole community can make use of them and enjoy making use of them.
"Despite these minor delays we are looking forward to the installation of three innovative community shelters in the borough that will prove great additions to the parks in which they will be placed."
The designers have now advised that they hope the shelters will be in place in February.
The project is being funded by the Big Lottery Fund and a contribution from Hertsmere Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership.
