Facelift for Riviera International Centre

Mayor of Torbay, Gordon Oliver, as part of his election promise, pledged to support the Riviera International Centre and re-enforce its place as a major asset to the tourism and business conference infrastructure in Torbay.

The Riviera International Conference Centre (RICC) is an award winning purpose built conference and leisure facility with flexible events space including a 1,500 seat auditorium, 1750 sq ft exhibition space and nine breakout rooms.

Torbay Council is investing in a repair and maintenance programme for the Riviera Centre to ensure the facility continues to attract the important conference and events market to Torbay, as well as enhancing its profile as a landmark building in pride of place in view of Torquay seafront.

The capital programme includes refurbishments to the roof, air conditioning and the boilers and high-pressure cleaning of the facia walls. The project is being project managed by Torbay Development Agency, and the first phase of the works - the high-pressure cleaning of the facia – has been completed to give a brighter, fresher look to the distinctive 1980s building.

The full capital programme for the rest of the refurbishment is nearing the stage to appoint a contractor and works are expected to start in July. The refurbishment will make the plant equipment more efficient, helping to reduce the centre’s utilities cost and carbon footprint. The capital programme committee, which includes RICC senior management, board members and the TDA project manager have been liaising closely with Mayor Gordon Oliver who has taken a special interest in ensuring the building benefits from maximum improvements with the efficient use of public funds.

Mayor of Torbay, Gordon Oliver said:

“The Riviera International Conference Centre has been an asset to Torbay since 1987 and brings in much investment through business and tourism, and as such I am committed to supporting it with these repair and maintenance works funded by the Council. I am delighted to see the results of the first phase of maintenance in which the exterior walls have undergone a transformational facelift courtesy of a simple high pressure hose which has washed away a build up of weathering.

“I look forward to the next phase of works that sees us appoint a contractor to progress with the capital works now that the exterior of the building has been brought up to scratch. With re-opening of Torre Abbey this summer, it is more important than ever that the RICC benefits from a new facelift and takes pride of place amongst the prestigious architectural features of Torbay from throughout the ages.”

Alan Meyer, Facilities Manager of the Riviera Centre said

“As the Riviera Centre is located within a close proximity to Torquay seafront it has been vulnerable to the elements, including bearing the brunt of onshore winds,. This combined with the pebble dash texture of the exterior walls has resulted in a build up salt, algae, dirt and acid which had caused slight corrosion. Until recently we believed that there was no feasible or cost effective solution to reverse this weathering; however when a trial was undertaken on a small area we were all astounded by the results of the simple power washing process.”

The power washing has taken a total of three weeks to complete and has been carried out by Exeter-based Complete Cleaning Services SW Ltd.

“We were extremely excited to undertake this project for the Riviera Centre, said James Woelfell of Complete Cleaning Services SW Ltd. “Although it is a simple procedure it has achieved great results that has helped to restore the Centre’s exterior back to its former glory.”