PROBLEMS: The 25-metre indoor pool is unlikely to last 50 years unless problems with insufficient concrete coverage are fixed by the pool contractors BuildPlan.
AN independent expert will oversee rectification work by the Orange Indoor Aquatic Centre’s contractors BuildPlan, because Orange City Council is not confident the 25-metre pool will last 50 years.
Technical services director Chris Devitt said the $7.2m pool won’t be completed until mid-June at the earliest but would not comment on how the “construction issues” occurred.
“Because it’s their [BuildPlan’s] job they have to fix it,” Mr Devitt said.
“We’ve sought independent advice because it’s a specialised area to satisfy ourselves and protect council’s interests.
“We’re taking the view let’s take a bit of time and get it right so we’re happy with the end product.”
Currently the concrete covering the steel for the reinforced concrete pool is insufficient on the base and one wall, making it unlikely to last for the life of the pool, which is 50 years, Mr Devitt said.
“If there’s not enough concrete over the steel it eventually wears away,” he said.
Mr Devitt said council was expected to receive a formal proposal from BuildPlan today on how they intend to fix the problems at the site with a timeframe of when the work will be finished.
“We’re in discussions with the contractor and they’re fully committed to getting it completed and getting it done right,” he said.
“We’ll work with them to make sure it’s done as soon as possible.
“Negotiations are looking more positive than they have for weeks.”
An earlier complication that resulted in the pool being built five millimetres longer than required has since been “sorted”, Mr Devitt said.
He said council doesn’t expect the extra work to a have a significant impact on the final cost of the pool with normal end of contract conditions applying.
clare.colley@ruralpress.com
