Riverside Leisure Centre pool may be closed until September 2018

News Desk
Authored by News Desk
Posted Wednesday, August 2, 2017 - 5:10pm

Exeter City Council has revealed more details about the work being carried out to assess the full extent of fire damage at the city’s Riverside Leisure Centre.

The task of assessing damage to the roof caused by the fire on February 21 is complex and time consuming, and the operator cannot reopen the pool and health suite until it is safe and appropriate to do so.

A report following a full structural assessment of the roof is expected to be completed by the end of August. It will determine the extent and likely timescale of the works required to repair the structure.

The current worse-case scenario given to the council for completion of all works is the end of September 2018.

Extensive work has been going on behind the scenes since a major fire broke out at the leisure centre.

The non-fire damaged parts of the facility were quickly reopened by the operator following a thorough clean up. But the pools and health suite have remained closed.

Cllr Phil Bialyk, Lead Councillor for Sport and Health and Well Being, said a report is drawn up for Scrutiny in September.

He said:  “It is frustrating for everyone - but we have got to do this the right way. It doesn’t look like much damage was done from the outside, but we need to have a proper assessment of the roof.

“The worst scenario would be that part or all of the roof will need replacing – and that would be a major job I’m afraid - it sits right over the pool itself.

“We can’t allow people back in there – we wouldn’t be allowed to let people back in there - until we know it is completely safe.”

Ward member Cllr Hannah Packham said: “Lots of people are asking about the Riverside and this is clearly a much-loved facility. A lot of people are frustrated at the closure of the pool, and I know everyone is working hard to get it reopened as soon as possible.”

The fire has raised concerns over the integrity of the main roof structure in the pool and health suite area, due to the effects of prolonged heat on the metal structure.

Initial visual inspection of the roof highlighted that the intense heat from the fire affected the steel roof and destroyed protective coatings.

Given the nature of all the roof structure and the effect of heat on metal, it is necessary to carry out integrity testing of the heat affected areas.

A report on the outcome of the structural inspection and sample cleaning will determine the extent and likely timescale of the remedial works required to repair the roof structure over the fire area.

It may have implications on the wider roof structure depending on the severity of damage.

The structural assessment is expected to be completed by the end of August. The outcome will determine how long it will take for repairs on the structure to be completed.

The completion of this work is being speeded up by all means available.

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