St Albans’ Batchwood sports centre to be demolished after blaze
Remains of fire-ravaged Batchwood Golf and Tennis Centre will be cleared by end of September
DEMOLITION of the fire-gutted remains of Batchwood Golf and Tennis Centre, destroyed in a suspected arson attack in St Albans three weeks ago, is to begin on Monday.
Richard Shwe, St Albans council’s head of community services, said a contract had recently been signed for the shell of the centre to be cleared, despite demolition companies being busy in the capital, clearing up wreckage in the wake of the recent London riots.
Both the tennis centre and the bowls club were destroyed in the fire which occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, August 10, but fire crews were able to save part of the gym. The council is still awaiting the outcome of an insurance claim as it determines the future of the popular facility.
Richard said the remains would be taken down in stages, with preparation work already underway, and the demolition was expected to be completed by the end of September.
You may also want to watch:
He added: “It is classed as a dangerous site so we have to be careful how we take it down.”
Richard said council officers had worked swiftly to organise the demolition and were on site every day to assess the situation.
Most Read
- 1 14 St Albans things that are gone but not forgotten
- 2 'Kick-ass' St Albans business campaigns for period pants tax removal
- 3 Woman loses more than £1000 in St Albans cashpoint distraction scam
- 4 Is lockdown working in Herts? Here's what the latest data tells us
- 5 St Albans district has Herts' lowest COVID-19 infection rate
- 6 6 movies to watch on TV this week made in Herts
- 7 'We are determined to get on top of this, and we will': Inside St Albans' COVID vaccination centre
- 8 New rules are a further nail in the coffin for pubs
- 9 'Heavy snow' expected across Hertfordshire from tomorrow
- 10 Sandridge student takes on running challenge for Mind
Local residents and centre users are behind efforts to have the centre rebuilt.
Tom Nash, of St Albans, said: “The destruction of the leisure centre has caused so much grief to all its users.”
At the time of going to press more than 920 people had signed an e-petition in support of the immediate rebuilding of Batchwood as a tennis and golf complex. To sign it see http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/10262
