One of the UK's largest telescopic cranes has been deployed by Morgan Sindall at the £17 million Splashpoint Leisure Centre development in Worthing.

The project team used the 800-tonne telescopic crane to carefully lift the enormous 50-tonne steel beams into place on the roof of the centre's main pool hall.

David Sershall, area director at Morgan Sindall, said: "This was a complex phase of a major project which required meticulous planning and site management. The competence of our site team ensured that the operation went smoothly. We are pleased to be moving forward on this project at a rapid pace and look forward to see the centre open on schedule next year.

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"The placing of the roof beams is the most complex part of the installation of the structural steel framework to the main pool hall. The development’s location on Worthing’s seafront meant that careful planning was needed to ensure that inclement weather conditions did not affect the lifting of the beam.

"The centre has a central role to play in the future of the town and we are delighted to bring our expertise in constructing leisure facilities to bear on this iconic project, which will provide a first-class leisure facility for the residents of Worthing."

The installation of the steel beams marks a significant stage in the construction of the Leisure Centre, which involves the replacement of the ageing aquarena with a brand new centre which will include a six lane 25m competition pool and diving pool, both with moveable floors, and a health and fitness centre.

Designed by award winning architects, Wilkinson Eyre, the design of the new centre aims to emphasise the connection between the land and the sea and was the subject of a RIBA design competition in September 2009.

(CD/GK)