The cost of the ongoing closure of Dundee’s beleaguered Olympia building has been laid bare after its operators posted losses described as “catastrophic”.
The once-popular facility was shut down in October 2021 after a raft of major safety issues were uncovered.
It came shortly after it was also closed for long stints due to the pandemic.
And now bosses at Leisure & Culture Dundee have revealed the centre has lost more than £2 million over the last two financial years.
It adds to the eye-watering £6 million repair bill already footed by local taxpayers.
Fears over full health and economic impact
Northeast Labour MSP Michael Marra, a former Dundee councillor, says the dire consequences of the closure are yet to be fully realised.
He said: “These losses come on top of the huge capital costs for repair, the economic impact on the city, the health impact on citizens, the safety impact on children whose opportunity to learn to swim is so reduced, the sporting impact on those who wish to compete and the miserable impact on those whose taxes paid for the facility and who just want to use it for fun.
“All of this is a direct consequence of the failure of the SNP administration to heed warnings over the worsening condition of the building. The continued refusal from the SNP administration to have a full independent investigation beggars belief.”
Figures released through Freedom of Information legislation show that over 2020/21 and 2021/22, the East Whale Lane facility has lost £2.24 million.
In previous years it usually brought in a surplus of at least £100,000.
This profit is used to prop up other crucial leisure services in the city but it’s not yet clear what impact the recent losses will have.
Losses endured since April last year are yet to be reported meaning the figure could yet rise further to more than £3 million.
Mr Marra added: “These losses are catastrophic for the Leisure & Culture budget.
“Crucial services across the city are put at risk as a result. Where previously a surplus from Olympia helped to support libraries and other facilities these huge losses now cripple the organisation.”
Centre deemed unsafe for public
The centre, which only opened in 2013, was shut when fixtures and fittings were found to be dangerous.
A wider inspection then found more problems including rust throughout the flumes, severely corroded bolts, and leaks near electrical equipment.
It comes after it was revealed Perth Leisure Pool is seeing a big financial boost as Dundee, Angus, and north-east Fife swimmers head to the nearby city.
Cash made at the pool is reinvested into leisure services in Perth & Kinross.
There have been repeated calls for an independent inquiry into what went wrong with the maintenance and/or build of the centre but these have been rebuffed by the council.
Council leader and SNP group leader, Councillor John Alexander, has stressed there are “no skeletons in the closet” and believes it’s time to move on from the saga.
A spokesperson for Dundee City Council said: “It is important to note that these figures relate to the period covered by Covid-19 restrictions, and only tell part of the story.
“While the building has been closed for assessment and remedial work to be carried out, energy usage has been significantly reduced with the resultant reduction in fuel costs.
“Work at the Olympia is progressing.”
Mr Alexander added: “Mr Marra was a councillor in Dundee’s Labour group when they proposed cuts to, yes you guessed it, repairs and maintenance budgets within the council.”
“Did the SNP propose cuts to repairs and maintenance budgets during these budget debates? No. I’m sure the irony won’t be lost on anyone.
“I’m focused on getting the Olympia open, whilst Mr Marra continues to gesticulate from the sidelines and achieve nothing.”
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