Whitchurch Civic Centre scheme £120,000 over budget
The first phase of a major project to revamp Whitchurch Civic Centre is running £120,000 over budget, it has been revealed.
The final cost of phase one of the scheme is now expected to be £863,000 rather than the originally planned £743,000.
The £1.6 million refurbishment of the 1970s High Street building started last autumn and was due to be completed last month.
But builders carrying out the work have encountered problems.
Work has involved improving the facade and remodelling the inside of the building, including creating a more welcoming foyer and upgrading the heating, water and electrical systems.
Details were discussed at a Shropshire Council cabinet meeting in Shirehall yesterday.
Finance officer James Walton said in a report to the meeting that officers are looking at reducing costs in the finals weeks of the project.
"The project has been delayed largely due to unforeseen problems around the original construction of the building and the poor weather over the winter; in particular building regulation controls have required us to update fire safety evacuation plans," he said. "This has resulted in an overrun from the original date of completion and an increase in costs from the original budget plan."
