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Application form
Please make sure you have read all the notes carefully before you start to fill in the application form. This application form can either be completed by hand or electronically - it is available on the Planning homepage at www.scotland.gov.uk/planning. Please complete all five sections. The deadline for submitting applications is 8 September 2006. An acknowledgement letter will be sent to the person who has completed this form.
1 Please provide a name and contact details of the lead organisation responsible for this work.
Name | Kevin Williams |
Job title | Development (Projects) Manager |
Organisation | Argyll and Bute Council |
Address | Kilmory, Lochgilphead, Argyll, PA31 8RT |
Telephone | 01546604274 |
Fax | 01546604250 |
Email | kevin.williams@argyll-bute.gov.uk |
2 If this is a joint application, please list the other partners who had a key role. You should also inform your partners that you are nominating the project for an award.
1 Highlands and Islands Enterprise/Argyll andthe Islands Enterprise | 2 Sportscotland |
3 Highland and Islands European Partnership/European Regional Development | 4 Page and Park Architects |
5 New Opportunities Fund | 6 |
3 Tick the category of nomination
Title of entry | Aqualibrium - A Sustainable Regeneration Project for a Remote Fragile Community |
Please complete the form on the following pages by providing a brief summary of the piece of work you have entered. You must also conclude with a key reason as to why you think this work merits an Award. Only the two A4 pages supplied here can be used and your text must fit within the boxes. The font size should be no less than 12pt.
The judging criteria are set out below. Please tick only the key criteria relevant to your entry:
You must describe, in your written submission, how the criteria which you have ticked relate to your project.
Description of project
Aqualibrium is a multi use regeneration project which was developed by way of an architectural competition incorporating full community involvement. The iconic energy efficient modern architectural structure contains a 25 metre - six lane swimming pool, a gym, a library with full modernising government access developed through the "peoples network project", a creche, a community rehabilitation centre, a bio-mass heating source, landscaped adjoining playing fields, external sculptures, ancillary uses such as a cruising yachts amenity block, function facilities and a restaurant with upper level balcony overlooking Campbeltown Loch to the South. It is situated adjacent to the Town Centre, on the shores of the Loch and adjacent to a Conservation Area and to a Social Inclusion Partnership ( SIP) area. |
Context - describe the background to the project
Campbeltown, located on the Kintyre Peninsula, is a remote fragile rural disadvantaged community which has suffered severe physical, social and economic decline for decades. Its community facilities had long passed their "sell by" date and were either in danger of closing or becoming dangerous. Also they were not operating in an integrated manner. Surveys concluded that the 1960s swimming pool contained asbestos and was structurally unsound due to subsidence. The library (an "A" grade listed building) was no longer fit for modern purposes and development intentions. A vision for the future was therefore promoted with the community to provide a modern integrated building on a new site. The existing library building would be released for phased restoration as a museum and offices. |
What are the aims and objectives of the project?
The project is designed to: provide new integrated 21st Century community facilities; promote partnership working with the community and other organisations; reflect the intentions of the development plan process and policies of other partner organisations; use available up to date knowledge on focussed delivery techniques; promote innovation, excellence and example in modern urban design in a town centre conservation setting; provide a workable and sustainable framework within which equal opportunity is promoted through health, sport, knowledge and leisure; ensure that what has been achieved is embraced by the Community; and to deliver the project in a manner which balances capital and revenue costs with excellence in design and function. |
Timescale - over what timescale has the project been developed?
The original Campbeltown swimming pool was declared unsafe in 2000 and was subsequently demolished in 2001. A full and detailed consultation took place with the community and individual community groups. It was agreed that the project would be developed by way of an architectural competition. Planning permission was subsequently granted in January 2003 and in May 2003 the Council's Strategic Policy Committee agreed that the project should proceed to tender stage. The Economic Impact Assessment was undertaken in June 2003. Work started on site in 2004 and the Aqualibrium facility was formally opened by First Minister Jack McConnell in June 2006. |
Action - explain the process and action taken
Public meetings were organised with the Community when the former pool was demolished. The first was attended by 334 people. The Council explained that it wished to develop a vision for the future which would be sustainable, supported by the Community and achieve a variety of objectives. Representatives from community organisations formed a steering committee which met regularly with the Council and other agencies. Through this process an architectural and quantity Surveying competition was organised by the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland ( RIAS) and a community representative attended the selection panel. Architects and Quantity Surveyors were appointed to design the project. Planning permission was granted in January 2003. Consultants carried out an Economic Impact Assessment providing an overview of the economic, social and community benefits of the project which was used in support of funding applications. |
Explain the role of the key partners
Partners were crucial to the development of the project. The principal Partner was the public - i.e. the projects beneficiary. Other agencies were important in that certain of their aims and objectives corresponded with those of the Council and the Community. By bringing all of these overlapping interests together, funding of in excess of £7 million was sought and obtained through Highlands and Islands Enterprise/Argyll and the Islands Enterprise, Sportscotland, Highland and Islands European Partnership/European Regional Development Fund, Argyll and Bute Council and the New Opportunities Fund. The Partners all worked towards achieving a unique development and regeneration project that the Community fully embraced. |
Results - what results were achieved?
This project achieved remarkable results within a relatively short space of time and at "best value" both conceptually and financially. It will benefit the economic, social and physical fabric of Campbeltown. This iconic modern architectural structure will see leisure and competition swimming reintroduced by way of a 25 metre - six lane swimming pool, a health gym, a library with modern IT access to knowledge and learning, children's crèche facilities and a community rehabilitation centre among other uses. It is an energy efficient building with external environmental improvements and arts features. It will attract tourism to Campbeltown and surrounding area and is a "one stop shop" that the community regard as "their own". |
Conclusion - in summary, why does this piece of work merit an Award?
Aqualibrium is now a reality "on the ground". It was conceived and completed within a 5 year period with the chosen name being the winner of a public competition. It has been brought forward through the Community using the Council and its Partners as the catalyst for achievement. It has taken advantage of all organisational and financial opportunities available. By recognising and responding to those opportunities a sustainable community project has been achieved. With economic regeneration at its heart. An iconic but pragmatic building contains opportunities which will serve the community for years to come and nurture new ideas for the future. An award is merited because all those involved maintained a "can do" attitude throughout the development process and the result is something which can be regarded as an exemplar to others. |
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