Chester Zoo The Islands development - planning, development and build (2012-2015)

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They've missed the lucrative spring half term holidays by just 1 week..... All schools are off from 25th May ....which I would assume would be the perfect week for maximum footfall to launch Islands. So potentially a softer launch than it might have been if they launched (when I assume they had planned) in line with the school holidays.
 
jde7582 said:
Isn't the smaller parts, I.e most of what's left to construct being handled by a different firm, and even if not I'd say that a month delay for a complex build, the type of which not seen in the UK before, probally isn't that bad.
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That's irrelevant. As principal contractor it is the the main construction firms responsibility to ensure all works are complete on time. If chester have requested additional works etc then extensions of time will be granted to enable these to be complete if they have an effect on the program.
 
hippophilic said:
Hopefully they'll have something in the contract with the building firm that results in the firm being fined for over running.
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They will. All contracts have liquidated damages written into them. Although if they've over run because of a change that the client (chester) has instructed then they will be entitled to an extension of time and no damages can be levied against the contractor provided the works are complete within this extension. Alternatively chester could pay for acceleration costs to get it complete in the same time (an increase in labour and engineering staff etc).
 
Campbell89 said:
That's irrelevant. As principal contractor it is the the main construction firms responsibility to ensure all works are complete on time. If chester have requested additional works etc then extensions of time will be granted to enable these to be complete if they have an effect on the program.
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I believe what you are calling the principle contractor,has only been employed to build the Monsoon Forest building,the rest of the project is being done a different contractor!As far as I know Chester have made no changes,to the plans since the contractors were employed,so any over run is not Chester fault!
 
zoogiraffe said:
I believe what you are calling the principle contractor,has only been employed to build the Monsoon Forest building,the rest of the project is being done a different contractor!As far as I know Chester have made no changes,to the plans since the contractors were employed,so any over run is not Chester fault!
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The principle contractor is whoever the contract to construct the project was awarded to. Whether or not they have subcontracted the monsoon forest or not it is still their responsibility if overruns occur.

In terms of change it doesn't necessarily have to be design changes, it could be anything such as unexpected ground conditions or change in health and safety regulations, it all depends on which party takes the risk and that is dictated by the contract. Not saying this is Chesters fault but if the risk is Chesters then the contractor is entitled to an extension on time. For what it's worth I'm a quantity surveyor for a national construction and engineering company and work with contracts and the commercial aspect of projects on a daily basis. Just saying its not always the contractors fault if there is an overrun although in this case it may well be.
 
It's not that shocking, not sure about the exclamation marks.

Even so the above still applies regardless of whether its one contract or seven. There is always risk in construction and the contract dictates which party is liable hence me saying it may not be the contractors fault for the overrun or it may well be that either of the contractors under resourced the project or some other reason that is their fault which has caused the delay.

Either way it's not as simple to begin a witch hunt 'lets blame/fine the contractor!'
 
zoogiraffe said:
I believe what you are calling the principle contractor,has only been employed to build the Monsoon Forest building,the rest of the project is being done a different contractor!As far as I know Chester have made no changes,to the plans since the contractors were employed,so any over run is not Chester fault!
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The only change I can detect form the original plans is the addition of many more reptile/amphibian/invertebrate/fish exhibits in Monsoon forest. They do not appear on the original plans but will be sort of this exhibit. Not sure if this is the reason for the slight delay in opening or not though?
 
ChesterZooFan said:
The only change I can detect form the original plans is the addition of many more reptile/amphibian/invertebrate/fish exhibits in Monsoon forest. They do not appear on the original plans but will be sort of this exhibit. Not sure if this is the reason for the slight delay in opening or not though?
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No they weren't on the original plans,but they were are all the plans that the various contractors,used to price up the cost of the building work!I have my own ideas as to the cause of the delay,but will keep it to myself as it could get me into more than a bit of trouble if I posted it!!!
 
I think it's fair to say that the whole project is a good deal more complex than constructing an office block or a shopping precinct. There are indoor and outdoor pools, the canal and moats, bridges, footpaths, service areas and roads, plus all the different heating, lighting, ventilation, air conditioning and water purification systems (which must all be adjustable to meet the requirements of the plants and animals in each exhibit, plus the needs of the visitors and the staff).
There will need to be time for all the planting and allowing the plants to establish; then time for introducing the animals to the exhibits and allowing them to settle in, while the signage is completed and the customer services in the restaurant and boat ride are shaken down.
There could be more slippage at any of these stages through bad weather or technical problems or an animal behaving like a prima donna (the only thing you can predict about orang utans is that they are unpredictable ;)). I am sure everything will happen in time for the main summer season, but the odd hiccough should not surprise us.

Alan
 
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That is impressive to say the least. Is there a comprehensive list of animals that are going to be displayed?
 
As it mentions 'Macaques' I presume the Sulawesi Macaques will be included. If so, I wonder what will replace them in the Monkey House.
 
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