THE independent probe into what went wrong in the building of a multimillion-pound leisure centre will cost £250,000, it has emerged.
The inquiry aims to establish the reasons for major problems with the DG One facility in Dumfries after it emerged that repairs on the site will push the project at least £3 million over its £10m budget.
Dumfries and Galloway Council, which will discuss the timetable next week, had asked the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to handle the investigation.
But the public body has said it will not act because it normally only does so in cases where death or serious injury has occurred.
Problems with the centre, built by Keir Northern at a cost of £17m, emerged shortly after its 2008 opening, forcing the frequent closure of swimming and other facilities.
Issues included missing wall ties, corrosion to steel columns, incorrectly installed ductwork and problems with drainage and stone cladding.
Court proceedings against the contractor began in 2013, and remedial works were agreed with a different provider three years later at a cost of £10m – before further complications pushed that estimate up.
Councillors have been asked to agree for the remit for the inquiry to include the actions of the local authority’s leadership and management and the deal struck with Keir Northern. If the process starts this month, the full report could be ready by March.
Earlier this year Councillor Elaine Murray, who heads the current Labour-SNP administration, said the repair option was “the best outcome we could have given the situation”. The local authority had been presented with the option of razing the centre.
In July the politician – who lost her Holyrood seat to Oliver Mundell in 2016 after 17 years at Holyrood – said: “It is not a position any of us would have wanted. We will be able to deliver a facility for Dumfries.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here