The Panoramic Tower at the Grand Pier won't be ready in time for the re-opening this summer. The deal with the original Italian suppliers fell through and despite sourcing a new supplier, delivery date guarantees were not forthcoming.
Kerry Michael said, 'we have to be open as soon as possible and we are not prepared to risk a delay to the re-opening for the sake of the tower. Therefore, we will open as planned and continue our negotiations with the new manufacturer so that we can have the tower in place for the following season. We are still committed to delivering it as promised but we need to make sure everything is right, for example, the foundations that are already in place were designed for the original tower and are likely to require modification and because the design is slightly different, we may even require an amendment to our planning permission and there is simply not enough time to do this and meet the re-opening date this summer.
Although the current weather conditions are providing their own challenges for us, we are confident that The Grand Pier will re-open on time and we cannot let anything affect that. We will still have 18 brand new rides and attractions for everyone to enjoy and the tower will give us all something to look forward to the following summer season.
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Friday, 8 January 2010
Tuesday, 5 January 2010
On track for summer opening
The Grand Pier rebuild has progressed well over the Christmas period. The steel forming the upper floors has been installed and although not yet waterproof, most of the roof sheeting has also been installed. The general shape of the building and towers is now clearly visible.
Kerry Michael said, "The weather is quite kind to us at the moment without much wind, however the cold weather means that we cannot pour concrete to create the floors. Hopefully if we get a break in the cold weather next week, we can catch up then."
The large floating barge and crane have completed their work and have now left site. The remaining works will be completed using the spud leg barge, although we will probably need the big barge back again to erect the Panoramic Tower when that is delivered.
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Kerry Michael said, "The weather is quite kind to us at the moment without much wind, however the cold weather means that we cannot pour concrete to create the floors. Hopefully if we get a break in the cold weather next week, we can catch up then."
The large floating barge and crane have completed their work and have now left site. The remaining works will be completed using the spud leg barge, although we will probably need the big barge back again to erect the Panoramic Tower when that is delivered.
For latest images check out our WEBCAM
Become a fan on FACEBOOK
Get tweeting with us on TWITTER
Tuesday, 22 December 2009
The re-build continues!
The Grand Pier Pavilion re-build continues at pace with this week seeing the cladding to the southern elevation being completed, the northern elevation more than half way complete and work has also started on cladding the towers. Also, the roof is almost completely covered with the 'under sheet' that sits beneath the final waterproof sheeting of the main roofs.
The metal floors creating the first and second levels are in place and ready for the concrete to be poured early in the New Year.
Kerry Michael said, 'we are pleased with the progress we are making however we have slipped a little due to the adverse weather throughout December. We are hopeful to make up any lost time as soon as the building is fully enclosed and in the dry. It's taking shape now and for the first time you can see the outline and scale of the new Pavilion. The response from the public has been fantastic as the building goes up and we are all very encouraged by the support we are receiving'.
Check out our webcam for latest images: www.grandpier.co.uk/grand_pier_webcam.asp
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The metal floors creating the first and second levels are in place and ready for the concrete to be poured early in the New Year.
Kerry Michael said, 'we are pleased with the progress we are making however we have slipped a little due to the adverse weather throughout December. We are hopeful to make up any lost time as soon as the building is fully enclosed and in the dry. It's taking shape now and for the first time you can see the outline and scale of the new Pavilion. The response from the public has been fantastic as the building goes up and we are all very encouraged by the support we are receiving'.
Check out our webcam for latest images: www.grandpier.co.uk/grand_pier_webcam.asp
Become a fan on FACEBOOK
Get tweeting with us on TWITTER
Tuesday, 15 December 2009
Re-build is Racing Ahead!
The Grand Pier re-build is racing ahead. Most of the structural steelwork for the Main Pavilion has now been erected and contractors are starting on the new building which is going on the Pier head. The large steel panels that cover the entire surface area of the Pavilion creating the new floor have also now been installed.
The first roof sheets are going on and cladding has started to the north elevation. Progress with this should significantly increase this week as a number of additional staff have been drafted in to speed up the build. The front of the new building has been scaffolded to facilitate access.
Pier owner Kerry Michael said, ‘although contractors have been working for most of this year, their work was mostly beneath the deck and it’s only now that the building is springing up above the deck that people can actually see what’s happening.
We are receiving hundreds of letters and emails every week and the web cam hits are growing every single day so people are really noticing what’s going on. We expect to carry on making good progress and we are confident of achieving our opening date, the only threat is the weather but the last few days have been good for us.
For the latest images, please see our Facebook Gallery: November 2009
Also, please check out our new webcam: Located HERE
The first roof sheets are going on and cladding has started to the north elevation. Progress with this should significantly increase this week as a number of additional staff have been drafted in to speed up the build. The front of the new building has been scaffolded to facilitate access.
Pier owner Kerry Michael said, ‘although contractors have been working for most of this year, their work was mostly beneath the deck and it’s only now that the building is springing up above the deck that people can actually see what’s happening.
We are receiving hundreds of letters and emails every week and the web cam hits are growing every single day so people are really noticing what’s going on. We expect to carry on making good progress and we are confident of achieving our opening date, the only threat is the weather but the last few days have been good for us.
For the latest images, please see our Facebook Gallery: November 2009
Also, please check out our new webcam: Located HERE
Wednesday, 11 November 2009
Creative thinking needed to solve Grand Pier challenges
How do you get a 60 tonne crane onto a jack up barge that is 240m out to sea and is 30 times too heavy to move down the Pier?
You build a ramp, 20 metres long and 3 metres high out of sand to allow the crane to drive from the last point of the shore that it can reach, to the barge.
The new “jack-up” barge was tested this week to make sure that it can be properly secured in the Weston mud. With this test successfully passed, the ramp will now be created with 2 diggers and 2 dumpers taking sand from inside the Grand Pier fence line. After the crane has reached the safety of the barge, the sand will be replaced.
Joint owner of the Pier Kerry Michael said: “This is one of many creative solutions that we have had to come up with to solve the challenges that are created in building this extraordinary Pier. I’m sure there will be many more improvisations before we are finished!”
Richard Sutton is the Senior Contracts Manager for main contractor John Sisk. He said: “We have checked with Natural England about moving the sand and they have given us the all clear as there will be no problem or harm to the environment. The ramp was the quickest method to put the crane on the barge.”
You build a ramp, 20 metres long and 3 metres high out of sand to allow the crane to drive from the last point of the shore that it can reach, to the barge.
The new “jack-up” barge was tested this week to make sure that it can be properly secured in the Weston mud. With this test successfully passed, the ramp will now be created with 2 diggers and 2 dumpers taking sand from inside the Grand Pier fence line. After the crane has reached the safety of the barge, the sand will be replaced.
Joint owner of the Pier Kerry Michael said: “This is one of many creative solutions that we have had to come up with to solve the challenges that are created in building this extraordinary Pier. I’m sure there will be many more improvisations before we are finished!”
Richard Sutton is the Senior Contracts Manager for main contractor John Sisk. He said: “We have checked with Natural England about moving the sand and they have given us the all clear as there will be no problem or harm to the environment. The ramp was the quickest method to put the crane on the barge.”
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