Dundee’s scandal-hit Olympia centre is on the hunt for a new manager – seventeen months after its swimming pool closed because of safety concerns.
Leisure and Culture Dundee, who run the facility, are looking to recruit a permanent, full time manager to lead the beleaguered centre.
It comes comes a year-and-a-half since the facility was closed following the discovery of a raft of major safety issues.
The shut-down came shortly after the facility was also closed for long stints due to the pandemic.
According to reports, the Olympia centre is due to re-open in October.
Manager to lead ‘development’ of centre
In an job advert posted online, Leisure and Culture Dundee lists the main responsibilities of the role, including leading the “organisation and development” of the centre and being accountable for its “financial and social performance”.
The successful candidate must also “take full responsibility for effectively addressing all health & safety requirements relating to the activities, operational facilities and customer-focused services”.
The salary for the position is listed as between £36,945 and £41,363 per year.
Applications for the position opened on Friday March 17 and the advert will remain open until Sunday April 2.
‘We want to see it re-opened as soon as possible’
Reacting to the job advertisement, Dundee City Council’s Liberal Democrat group leader Fraser Macpherson said it was important the centre was ready to re-open as soon as it is possible.
The West End councillor said: “I think it’s important that Leisure and Culture Dundee are well prepared for the re-opening of the Olympia.
“We want to see it re-opened as soon as possible once the works are completed. Obviously we want to see that happen ASAP.”
He added: “I have also asked for councillor officers to give the (council) group leaders an update on the progress of the repairs at the Olympia.
“I want the reassurance all the work is on time and making good progress so the facility can re-open.
“This will be discussed at the next group leaders meeting in April.”
The Olympia centre has been plagued with structural problems in recent years, including issues with the lighting and corrosion in bolt fittings on the flumes structure.
Earlier this year, a freedom of information request revealed the centre has lost more than £2 million over the last two financial years.
This is in addition to the £6 million needed to repair the faults at the facility.
A spokesperson for Leisure and Culture Dundee said: “This post has been vacant since February 2022 when the postholder retired.
“It remained vacant due to the Olympia closure; however, we are now working towards the reopening timeline which was set out last year.”
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