‘Snagging’ led to ‘rapids’ closure

ANOTHER major feature at Dundee’s Olympia swimming pools was forced to close for 17 days less than a fortnight after reopening to the public.

New information shows the river rapids area was closed on the afternoon of December 29 – just 11 days after the public had been welcomed back to the centre following two years of repairs costing more than £6 million.

It did not reopen until the evening of January 15.

Leisure and Culture Dundee revealed the details after a freedom of information request by the Tele.

However, the operator said it did not hold details of what caused the closure which would have to come from the centre’s owner, Dundee City Council.

The local authority put it down to “snagging” following the repairs.

It comes as questions continue to be asked about the condition of the centre after the leisure and toddler pools, including the river rapids, were forced to shut in early February for more repairs.

A reopening date for them has yet to be confirmed.

Lib Dem councillor Fraser Macpherson, who has been pressing the council and leisure operator for updates, said: “I have raised these further concerns with the city council, together with others that have been brought to my attention this week and have sought urgent clarity and reassurance from the council and Leisure and Culture Dundee.

“The council has to be more forthcoming and transparent than this ‘council spokesperson’ non-reply to the issues of concern.

“It is vitally important that all outstanding issues are now promptly resolved, all Olympia facilities reopened and the Dundee public reassured that the full facilities will henceforth operate for the benefit of the community without these continual issues which clearly impact on public confidence.”

A council spokesperson said: “Since Olympia reopened in December, a number of snagging issues were dealt with as they emerged.

“Health and safety has remained our first priority at all times.

“We are now working on the remaining issues and hope to be able to fully re-open Olympia as soon as possible.

“Other facilities at Olympia including the training/competition pool, gym and group exercise activity room are open as normal.”

The Olympia has been beset by other problems since its December reopening.

Last month, we revealed how rust has been identified in areas of the building.

And this week it emerged the only cubicle in the men’s toilet has been closed since at least late December while waiting for parts to fix an unspecified problem.

Council leader John Alexander has agreed to an independent probe into what has gone wrong with the £32m centre after growing frustrated over the latest issues.

NO-GO ZONE: The river rapids area at the Olympia were shut for 17 days shortly after the complex reopened in December.