Swimming bodies say the integrity of competitions held at Dundee’s Olympia may have been compromised – as the pool has been “too short” since it was built.
The Courier previously revealed how the main pool was not the right length in both 25m and 50m modes after its construction.
It was one of dozens of issues raised with contractors on a snagging list published 11 months after its 2013 opening.
But documents now obtained by The Courier show that while a temporary certificate was issued, allowing the pool to be used for 25m and 50m competitions, it expired in December 2015.
Leisure chiefs say work has since been carried out to sort the problem but the pool has never been resurveyed – meaning it has not met regulations from the sport’s governing body Fina.
Why does it matter?
Swimming pools used for competitive events are all measured to standards set internationally.
It allows athletes to know that records set in different pools are comparable.
Ally Whike, Scottish Swimming’s director of aquatics, said: “We need to be able to know that the pool in Dundee is the same length as the one in Glasgow, Stirling or Aberdeen.
It’s about fairness and accuracy. If you a break a record you want to know that will be accepted”
Ally Whike, Scottish Swimming
“Whenever there’s a competition we need to know it’s exactly the same. That’s the core essence of the sport.
“It’s about fairness and accuracy. If you a break a record you want to know that will be accepted.
“If you build a 50m pool you expect it to be 50m.”
It is understood the organisation will now be looking at whether there are any implications for events held at the pool in recent years.
David Haig, head coach at Dundee City Aquatics, says it is “clear that there was neglect” in not ensuring the pool was the necessary specification when it was built.
He has called for results from competitions held at the venue to be reviewed by Scottish Swimming in light of the new information, amid fears they could now be invalid.
He added: “Moving forward, unless the pool was changed, it will be an even bigger white elephant.”
What happened after its construction?
The documents from Leisure and Culture Dundee show that the pool failed to obtain certification from Fina when it was first measured in 2014.
An inspector found the pool was too short when set up in both the 25 and 50 metres configurations.
The documents said: “Neither 50m or 25m lengths comply with the Fina regulations.
“It would be possible to adjust the bulkhead fixing sockets for the 25m short course to enable this course to comply.
“The length of the pool tank appears to be insufficient to enable a 50m course to be achieved without substantial works.”
Fina says the pool should measure between 50m and 50.010m with two touchpads – which record swimmers’ times – installed.
But the original inspection in 2014 recorded a length of 49.989m – just 11mm short.
The temporary certificate was issued in 2015 with just one touchpad installed – allowing it to come within the correct measurements – but the document said a resurvey must take place after December 31 of that year.
The papers show no resurvey ever took place, meaning the pool has not had official competition certification ever since.
Fina has not responded to a request for comment on the issue.
What has Leisure and Culture Dundee said?
The Courier asked Leisure and Culture Dundee why no resurvey took place.
The organisation – which is a council arm’s-length body – did not respond to that question.
However, a spokesperson told us: “Subsequent work was carried out after the initial survey to ensure the pool was compliant with required measurements.
“In line with standard practice, a new survey will be requested after refurbishment works take place.”
All pools at the centre have been closed since September last year after several issues were discovered including corrosion.
It is expected the pools will not reopen until 2023 at the earliest.
Councillor Fraser Macpherson, a member of the scrutiny committee which has been examining the closure of the Olympia pools, says he has written to Leisure and Culture Dundee asking for an explanation.
He said: “I am very concerned that it would appear that Olympia was built apparently too short for purpose.
“On top of the maintenance issues that will see the facility closed for more than a year, this really takes the biscuit.
“One way or another, when Olympia reopens it must be fully fit for purpose for both professional swimmers and for leisure use by the Dundee public.”
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