IN LIMBO: Orange councillor Reg Kidd will call for a full report into ongoing problems that have put the construction of the new 25 metre indoor pool in a state of limbo. Photo: CLARE COLLEY 0430regpool
Ongoing problems and delays that have put the new 25 metre indoor pool in a state of limbo are “bloody diabolical”, according to Orange councillor Reg Kidd.
The project has stalled while the pool’s contractors National Buildplan Group “investigates solutions” on how to fix problems “with adequate concrete cover and dimensional tolerances” of the 25 metre pool, according to a report for Thursday’s council meeting.
As of yesterday council was still waiting for a revised schedule from Buildplan despite numerous requests.
Cr Reg Kidd said following an earlier complication when the pool was discovered to be five millimetres too long, there were now other possible problems with the width or depth.
“It’s critical now that council really puts a tight rein on and gets this sorted out,” he said.
“We’ve seen excuses ... that it’s been too wet or too dry.
“[But] it’s a huge multi-million dollar project and it’s gone over budget and it’s also gone over timing an extraordinary amount of times.”
He said council should explore possible legal action against the contractors.
“Everyone in town is talking about it,” he said.
“If you were building anything yourself you’d be spitting chips.”
Cr Kidd will call for a full report to be made available outlining all the “events and circumstances” surrounding the project to find out who was responsible for the ongoing problems and what impact it will have on the final cost.
“I think we should give a full open and frank exposè to the public on what’s happened and the costings,” he said.
“If the contractors have been responsible they should be held accountable.”
He said the project was controversial from the start and despite massive injections of funds it was still no closer to opening.
Council spokesperson Nick Redmond said the delays were not expected to impact on the project’s budget at this point, with staff meeting with the contractors this week to finalise the work’s schedule. The outdoor pool will remain open until the indoor facility is completed.
clare.colley@ruralpress.com