Asbestos delaying Olympics demolition

An inside view of the 50 metre pool at the Olympic Pool complex, not long after the facility closed to the public this year. The pool is to be demolished but issues around asbestos found at the lap pool during a repair in May 2021 have delayed the work. The administration block, below, has also been found to have asbestos. An asbestos removal control plan has been prepared. Pictures by Liam Clayton

A control plan for asbestos at the Olympic Pool complex is under review ahead of demolition works beginning next year.

Both the 50 metre lap pool and administration building are set to be levelled at the complex following the September opening of the $46 million Kiwa Pools next door.

This week, Gisborne District Council said it would not begin demolition until April 2024 to allow outdoor pool areas to remain open at the old site over summer.

It is also dealing with asbestos, which was discovered at the complex in May 2021 during a repair of the lap pool.

The work was being undertaken by Apollo Projects who had engaged outside help to deal with the material, the council said.

“Apollo has had an asbestos demolition survey completed and has recently received the asbestos removal control plan from a licensed asbestos removal contractor,” council liveable communities director Michele Frey said.

“To ensure an extra level of quality control for (the) council, Apollo employees and our community, we’ve engaged WSP to peer review the survey and proposed control plan.”

Asked if asbestos removal would add an extra layer of cost to the demolition, Ms Frey said there was “some contingency” remaining in the project budget.

“We’re awaiting a final plan, and therefore cost of the work.  The priority is to ensure it is done safely and in accordance with good practice.”

Built in the 1970s, the Olympic Pools began to struggle in recent years under the weight of crumbling infrastructure.

Inconsistent heating became an issue at the complex during 2022 and forced a month-long closure when a backup gas boiler failed.

The boiler was being used in lieu of the wood chip supplier no longer being available for the main source of heating — a chip boiler.

Following the boiler’s repair, the pool remained “plagued with stoppages”, Ms Frey said at the time.

Although the lap pool and administration will be removed at the Olympic complex, outdoor pools are not set for demolition at any point and will remain.  open, along with the waterslide.