Aquatic centre's pools closed after storm wrecks roof

The swimming pools at the National Aquatic Centre in Dublin could be closed for up to three months, with revenue losses of more than €1.5 million, following extensive storm damage on New Year's Day.

The management of the centre in Abbotstown, west Dublin, said it might have to lay off some of its 60 staff until the pools reopen.

A 25-metre section of the roof of the competition pool was ripped away by storm winds and blown across the complex causing extensive damage inside and outside the building.

The debris was carried for almost a 250 metres, wrecking trees and fences in its path.

Insurance experts were assessing the damage to the complex yesterday, but according to Mr Liam Bohan, director of Dublin Waterworld Ltd, which runs the centre on behalf of the Government, preliminary examinations suggested repair work would cost more than €1 million.

"The competition pool roof just peeled back and blew across and landed on the leisure pool roof. Apart from the roof damage, there's internal damage to the skylights, to the tiles, the floors," Mr Bohan said.

A large section, if not all, of the competition pool roof would have to be replaced, he said, and it was not yet clear if the leisure pool ceiling could be repaired in sections, or would need to be completely replaced.

Massive sections of the roof, up to 40 feet in length, litter the car park of the centre. "The one saving grace is that the place was closed on New Year's Day, with the size of the stuff flying around, who knows what might have happened."

The centre, which was due to reopen after Christmas on January 2nd, has remained closed since the incident. The gym, which was undamaged, is due to reopen next week. The pool's roofs require specialist repair work that could take three months to complete, Mr Bohan said.

The complex will lose more than €500,000 a month until the pools reopen. Events have been cancelled up to the end of February, including the All-Ireland Senior Schools Gala and a fundraising day for Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin.

The management of the centre is holding a meeting next Tuesday to discuss the implications for its 40 full-time and 20 part-time staff. "There may have to be lay-offs or some element of reducing hours while the pools are closed, but hopefully there won't have to be any redundancies."

Some 1,300 children take swimming and diving lessons at the pools each week. The next course of lessons, due to begin on January 10th, has been cancelled. Those who had already paid for lessons will be accommodated on future courses when the pools reopen, or can apply for a refund.

The centre's 500 members will be able to use the gym, Mr Bohan said, but will be offered a free month's membership to compensate for the closure of the pools.