Surprise roof fault forces closure of Lerwick pool
The swimming pool at Clickimin will be closed until further notice as a safety precaution following a fault discovered in its glass roof.
According the Shetland Recreational Trust the problem, in “the glazed roofing area above the pool”, needs to be investigated and rectified.
The main pool, toddler’s pool, flumes, river, health suite, soft play area and cafe will be closed until the situation is sorted, but the main sports hall will stay open.
Trust general manager James Johnston said: “We apologise for the obvious inconvenience this causes to our customers, but their safety is always our first priority.
“We have been in discussions with structural engineers and SIC building control officers today and have chosen to close the swimming pool section of the complex both to the public and staff until we can resolve this problem.
“This is being done entirely as a precaution and I can assure customers that we will work as quickly as we can to get a structural survey done, identify what work needs to be carried out and proceed with that work. No other part of the building is affected.”
The planned four-week closure of the main hall of the complex, which had been due to begin on Monday, has now been postponed.
“We have decided to keep the main sports hall open for customers,” Mr Johnston said. ““We are also exploring alternative arrangements for the different clubs which use the swimming pool on a regular basis.”
Haydn Gear
A very wise decision.The roof of a swimming pool at a school in Yorkshire was blown off by high winds (not unknown in Shetland!) a few years ago with large pieces dropping into the actual water beneath. Fortunately, the pool was not in use at the time being a nighttime incident. Had it been in daytime it’s likely that there would have been casualties, even deaths. So, minor inconvenience should be a much preferred option.
David Spence
Is there not a regular (say yearly) inspection of the structure of the building in which potential hazards, if there are any which is found, can be identified and repaired before it gets to a possible danger?
I would have thought that such a measure, especially buildings being accessed by the public, would have been in place by the Council?
Alvin Leong
This is not a council building and therefore not the council’s problem.
Peter Balfour
Nope
Chris Johnston
The natatorium is 20 years old. Corrosion and structural decay (both interior and exterior) are a matter of constant concern for astute operators of similar facilities.
According to SRT’s 2013-2014 annual report on line, the area was closed for three weeks for maintenance at the end of 2013. I wonder whether the roof was inspected then.