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The ACT government won’t lay the blame on the construction company behind the Gungahlin Leisure Centre for problem tiles at the 50-metre pool. But the government could possibly review the procurement process for the $27.8 million centre, which only opened in 2014. The taxpayer will have to fork out most of the money to repair the pool after the government agreed to a $400,000 payout from the builder of the centre. The pool has been shut for 12 months, initially closed due to the COVID-19 lockdown before it was discovered in June some tiles were falling off. ACT Sports Minister Yvette Berry said a range of issues could have caused tiles to start falling off and because they could not pinpoint one exact problem it was difficult to determine who was at fault. She said problems had been identified with the grouting, the construction of the tiles and the movement of tiles. But as well, issues had been found with the adhesive used – which could not be considered the fault of the developer. “In this case it’s not clear where the problems fall or what the actual problem was that you could lay blame at anyone’s feet,” Ms Berry said. Journalists were allowed to have a look at the empty pool on Tuesday. There were many broken tiles throughout the pool. All the tiles in the pool will have to be removed and replaced. The total cost to fix the Gungahlin pool will be revealed in the coming weeks. But Ms Berry said the government’s share would be greater than the $400,000 already paid by the builder, ADCO Constructions. Ms Berry said she had received advice that a litigation process with the developer would not be successful. She said this would just prolong the pool’s closure. “The advice I have, and this is the reason we reached a settlement with the developer … was that should we go into some sort of litigation arrangement with the original developer that it was unlikely to be successful,” she said. “It would mean the pool would be closed for several years and cost hundreds and hundreds of thousands of dollars in litigation costs.” It is hoped the pool will be opened by December. Ms Berry said a review into the procurement process for the construction of the Gungahlin Leisure Centre could be considered by the government. But she stopped short of conducting a wider review of procurement process or “blacklisting” developers. READ MORE: “I don’t think blacklisting any developer or builder or contractor is the way to go if they meet the guidelines that are there for procurement and are able to gain the contract in that respect then they will get a contract with the government,” Ms Berry said. “If they have ticked all the boxes in the first instance that’s because they have proven they can develop a good product but if the case is their resume changes and they can’t deliver a good product then they won’t get work with the government.” In a statement on Monday, ADCO Constructions said the issues with the pool were “technically very complex”. The construction firm confirmed it had paid the government the $400,000 and this would allow the repairs of the pool to proceed. Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
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The ACT government won’t lay the blame on the construction company behind the Gungahlin Leisure Centre for problem tiles at the 50-metre pool.
But the government could possibly review the procurement process for the $27.8 million centre, which only opened in 2014.
The pool has been shut for 12 months, initially closed due to the COVID-19 lockdown before it was discovered in June some tiles were falling off.
ACT Sports Minister Yvette Berry said a range of issues could have caused tiles to start falling off and because they could not pinpoint one exact problem it was difficult to determine who was at fault.
She said problems had been identified with the grouting, the construction of the tiles and the movement of tiles.
Tiles started to fall off in the pool in June last year. Picture: Dion Georgopoulos
But as well, issues had been found with the adhesive used – which could not be considered the fault of the developer.
“In this case it’s not clear where the problems fall or what the actual problem was that you could lay blame at anyone’s feet,” Ms Berry said.
Journalists were allowed to have a look at the empty pool on Tuesday. There were many broken tiles throughout the pool.
All the tiles in the pool will have to be removed and replaced.
The total cost to fix the Gungahlin pool will be revealed in the coming weeks. But Ms Berry said the government’s share would be greater than the $400,000 already paid by the builder, ADCO Constructions.
Ms Berry said she had received advice that a litigation process with the developer would not be successful. She said this would just prolong the pool’s closure.
“The advice I have, and this is the reason we reached a settlement with the developer … was that should we go into some sort of litigation arrangement with the original developer that it was unlikely to be successful,” she said.
“It would mean the pool would be closed for several years and cost hundreds and hundreds of thousands of dollars in litigation costs.”
The government hopes the pool will be repaired by December. Picture: Dion Georgopoulos
It is hoped the pool will be opened by December.
Ms Berry said a review into the procurement process for the construction of the Gungahlin Leisure Centre could be considered by the government.
But she stopped short of conducting a wider review of procurement process or “blacklisting” developers.
“I don’t think blacklisting any developer or builder or contractor is the way to go if they meet the guidelines that are there for procurement and are able to gain the contract in that respect then they will get a contract with the government,” Ms Berry said.
“If they have ticked all the boxes in the first instance that’s because they have proven they can develop a good product but if the case is their resume changes and they can’t deliver a good product then they won’t get work with the government.”
In a statement on Monday, ADCO Constructions said the issues with the pool were “technically very complex”.
The construction firm confirmed it had paid the government the $400,000 and this would allow the repairs of the pool to proceed.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
