UoC Alumni Association and KWA Architects sign MoU for upcoming swimming pool complex
View(s):A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the University of Colombo Alumni Association and KWA Architects for the architectural and structural work for a new 50 metre swimming pool for the university.
The University of Colombo (UoC) Alumni Association has undertaken to construct a professional swimming pool for the university, which had been a long term need of the university. Construction is to begin mid-2021.
The MOU was signed at College House in the presence of UoC Vice Chancellor Chandrika Wijeyaratne. Alumni Association President Rajeev Amarasuriya exchanging the MoU with KWA Architects Precedent Partner Thilan Koththigoda. From L to R :- Alumni ExCo Member J. M. S. Bandara, Thilan Koththigoda, Vice Chancellor Chandrika Wijeyaratne, Rajeev Amarasuriya, Alumni Head of Administration Sunethra Peiris, Swimming Pool Steering Committee Co-Chair Asanka Ranhotty.
The proposed swimming pool complex was expected to meet and exceed all standards associated with a professional aquatic facility. Once constructed, the facility would benefit present and future generations of students at the University of Colombo.
KWA Architects had come forward to provide all the design and structural work in a honourary capacity. Speaking at the signing ceremony, KWA Architects Precedent Partner Thilan Koththigoda, said they considered this project as a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project. Many of the architects at KWA, including himself were graduates of state universities, and he said they consider this as an opportunity to give back to Sri Lanka’s sate university sector.
Mr. Koththigoda also said, considering the value of the proposed swimming pool project for the University of Colombo as a project of national significance, KWA Architects together with their engineering and cost consultancy partners Edifice Consultants (Pvt.) Ltd., Haritha Consultants (Pvt.) Ltd and ARQS Consultants (Pvt.) Ltd, decided to provide the design and consultancy services on a pro bono basis.
The project team will comprise architects Mr. ThilanKoththigoda and Thushari Wijesundera as the lead architects, Edifice Consultants (Pvt.) Ltd Director (Engineering) Nuwan Bandaranayake, as the structural engineer, chartered engineer Shiran Jayalath as the mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineer and ARQS Consultants (Pvt) Ltd Managing Director Hasitha Gunasekera, as cost consultant.
UoC Alumni Association President Rajeev Amarasuriya, said when the university requested the support of the Alumni Association to construct this swimming pool complex, even though it was a large project, the association undertook it, as it would be a development which would cater to and benefit generations of students.
He said in 1995, the association gifted to the University of Colombo a 400 bed women’s hostel complex at Buller’s Lane. Now 24 years later, the association representing all University of Colombo Alumni was happy to take on this project which was even larger in magnitude. He invited all University of Colombo Alumni to support this initiative.