No firm date yet on Olympia reopening

Liberal Democrat Dundee City Council Group Leader, Cllr Fraser Macpherson, has today been advised that there is still no firm date for re-opening of the Olympia swimming facility, despite contractor handover taking place in the first week of October.      

The Director of Leisure and Culture Dundee today advised Councillor Macpherson :

L&CD has now had the opportunity to discuss with City Development colleagues and review the activities currently being undertaken in preparation for the reopening of Olympia. In terms of L&CD the following activities have been undertaken:

Cleaning of dry and wet areas of the building 

Recruitment of staff – Reception, Leisure Attendants, Lifeguards 

Continued operation of additional sessions at various L&S Swim and Sport facilities whilst Olympia remains closed

Testing of various features, systems and processes 

Leisure Management System configuration and booking setup 

Lifeguard training – Ongoing monthly training 

New staff inductions and site-specific training - Ongoing 

Programming of various spaces including pools, activity room and gym 

Refresher Training of staff returning to Olympia 

The update from DCC City Development is as follows:

"The construction works have reached practical completion. Various sub-contractors continue to carry out periodic visits to address remaining snagging items ensuring all works are completed prior to opening. Examples include adjustments to pool plant and decoration. As the building is brought back to full operation any teething issues with new systems or recommissioned systems will be addressed on an ongoing basis.

Combined with this are two other strands of work. Firstly, property maintenance items that require to be addressed but could not be implemented until construction works were completed, and secondly, items which have manifested themselves since the closure, e.g. a recent roof leak to the glazed atrium. This type of works will be programmed to ensure that the date set for opening is not compromised.

As these workstreams progress, we will then be able to make the appropriate assessment and set a date for opening in the near future which I intend to communicate to all Councillors.”

Councillor Macpherson said:

“Getting this level of detail out of Leisure and Culture Dundee has been a bit like wading through treacle and I and my group colleagues are getting concerned at the elapsed period of time with no opening and the frankly less than exemplary communications from Leisure and Culture Dundee, not just to elected members of the council but to the Dundee public."

“I have raised my concerns with both the Director of Leisure and Culture Dundee and the council’s Chief Executive.     We think it is reasonable to see transparency from Leisure and Culture Dundee on the re-opening date of Olympia and that the re-opening should now be as soon as possible.”