Aquatic Centre repair delays cost firm €3m
The €67m west Dublin amenity, which attracted 925,000 users during its first full operating year in 2004, re-opened yesterday. The centre had been closed since January after a storm blew off part of its roof. The cost of repairing the building, owned by a State agency, was not disclosed yesterday.
Donagh Morgan, chief executive of Campus and Stadium Ireland Development (CSID), landlords of the centre, said the repair bill was a matter for the contractors and insurers.
“We have an estimate for costs, but as it’s not the final figure, we are not in a position to provide details,” he said. In the Dáil earlier this year, Sports Minister John O’Donoghue emphasised taxpayers would not foot the bill. However, Liam Bohan a director of the company leasing the centre, said losses over the last five months were estimated at €2.5m-€3m. He said his firm was not privy to the talks between the landlord, the insurance firm and the contractor.
He said: “We have no idea who paid for the damage or the cost of repairs but we are delighted that the centre is open again.”
The cause of the damage, the severity and delays in carrying out repairs were issues that remained a mystery, he indicated.
The centre hosted competitions from the Special Olympics in 2003 but major international events were cancelled. Over 60 staff were temporarily laid off.
