COUNCILLORS have agreed to spend an extra £70,000 to replace the windows at a Malvern leisure centre.

Up to £350,000 had already been earmarked to replace the curtain walling at Malvern Splash but the rising cost of materials means more is needed to complete the project.

Malvern Hills District Council’s executive committee approved the additional spend at a meeting last night (Tuesday, January 24), so the council now has a budget of £420,000 to finish the work.

The windows on the Priory Road side of the leisure centre have already been replaced - this spend refers to those facing Priory Park.

READ MORE: Work begins on £200,000 refurb of Malvern Splash gym

Cllr Peter Whatley, the cabinet member for resources, told councillors: “We have always intended to replace the curtain walling that faces the park at Splash. It needs to be done.

“The first phase of the refurbishment of the building has been completed - this is part of the second phase.

“Because the cost of materials is going up all the time, we are looking at an extra £70,000 on top of the previously agreed amount, although hopefully we won’t have to spend all of that.”

Energy savings at Malvern Splash

Council leader Tom Wells said replacing the curtain walling would deliver a number of environmental benefits.

Upgrading the current double glazing to new triple glazed units would save about 30,000kWh of energy a year - a saving of 14.3 percent for the part of the building directly impacted.

Cllr Jeremy Owenson, leader of the council’s Conservative group, said: “We could have saved £70,000 and had three years of efficiency savings if we’d actually done this three years ago. The world didn’t stop because of Covid.”

According to the council, the current curtain walling is more than 30 years old and an increasing number of glazed units need to be re-secured or replaced.

Full replacement of the curtain walling will be guaranteed for 10 years.

Cllr Whatley added: “Not only is the replacement essential for maintenance but it also plays a part in helping towards our objectives, including investing in our community facilities, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and delivering Destination Zero.”