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 50-metre swimming pool for the university.
The University of Colombo (UoC) Alumni Association has undertaken to construct a swimming pool which has been a long-term need of the university. Construction work will begin mid this year. The proposed swimming pool complex is expected to meet all standards associated with a professional aquatic facility.
KWA Architects will provide all the design and structural work in an honorary capacity. 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 are graduates of State universities, and he said they consider this as an opportunity to give back to the State university sector.
KWA Architects with their engineering and cost consultancy partners Edifice Consultants (Pvt) Ltd., Haritha Consultants (Pvt) Ltd and ARQS Consultants (Pvt) Ltd, will provide the design and consultancy services on a pro bono basis.
The project team will comprise Thilan Koththigoda and Thushari Wijesundera as the lead architects, Edifice Consultants Director, Engineering, Nuwan Bandaranayake, as the structural engineer, chartered engineer Shiran Jayalath as the mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineer and ARQS Consultants Managing Director Hasitha Gunasekera, as cost consultant.
UoC Alumni Association President Rajeev Amarasuriya said, when the university called for the support of the Alumni Association to construct a 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 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.