The Aurora Leisure Centre, Bangor, is a large 3 storey leisure facility developed by Ards and North Down Borough Council in 2012. It comprises a 50m swimming pool, a diving pool, a separate leisure pool with water features, a fitness suite with exercise studios, a large and small sports hall, squash courts, wet and dry changing facilities, a café/function room and associated administration support office and toilet. Johnston Houston was initially instructed in May 2020 to review the nature and extent of alleged defects/issues affecting the property. The defects we were asked to provide an opinion on included roof condensation defects, deterioration to glulam beams, tiling defects and defects to the sports hall flooring.
During our investigations into the defects a significant section of the main roof over the Leisure Pool suffered significant storm damage in November 2021 which required both emergency repairs and permanent repairs. Following our initial damage assessment, Johnston Houston was engaged to procure and lead an insurance claim for emergency repairs which were completed in December 2021. Following successful completion of emergency repairs, we led permanent repairs to replace one fifth of the original roof affected by storm damage procured under an NEC3 Contract. These works were successfully completed in 2022 when the Leisure pool was reopened.
Given our knowledge of the building, Johnston Houston was recently instructed to undertake a full Condition Survey and report of Aurora Leisure Centre to address any backlog maintenance and forward maintenance obligations for the operator to address. With our understanding of the original form of construction and its condition, Johnston Houston is delighted that the relationship we have built with our client since 2021 continues to result in repeat consultancy business for this impressive leisure facility.
