Commie revamp struggles to keep head above water

A new city council report has confirmed that contractors are still working on removing asbestos from the site of the pool. It said that the work is set to have an impact on both the refurbishment programme and the budget.

Council officials also confirmed that the overall cost of the Usher Hall revamp is set to exceed the current estimate of 38.7 million after a number of hitches.

Initial estimates indicated the Commonwealth Pool revamp – which will bring it up to standards required for it to host the diving competition at the 2014 Commonwealth Games – would be finished by the end of June 2011 and cost 37m.

Councillor Paul Godzik, culture and sport spokesman for the Labour group on the council, said: "It is an issue of some concern. Clearly there have been delays in other large projects like the Usher Hall and the City Art Centre, and we do not want to see another project hit by delays.

"This project is of critical importance and is fundamental to the Commonwealth Games. We want it to be open on time and don't want anything to delay that.

"The council does not have a fantastic track record of getting things done on time and on budget. You only have to look at what the Lib Dem/SNP administration have done with the trams."

Work is now under way to provide a detailed breakdown of the estimated cost of the pool revamp and a new completion date.

A city council spokeswoman said: "Building materials containing asbestos were widely used in construction right up until the 1980s, particularly in the 1960s when the Royal Commonwealth Pool was built.

"Our contractor has been working hard to remove the material in a safe and methodical manner so that work can progress as per the refurbishment schedule."

The major overhaul includes the introduction of moving floors in all the pools to adjust the depth.

The main 50-metre swimming pool is also due to be extended by 1.5 metres and will have a special boom so that it can be split into two 25-metre pools.

The diving area will have four platforms up to ten metres high, plus two temporary springboards, and a "dry dive" training area.

A new report going to the council's finance committee also confirmed that the cost of the Usher Hall revamp is still to be finalised but will rise well above the latest 38.7m estimate after the delays that hit its glass extension.

"The overall cost for Phase II is subject to final settlement with the contractor," said the council spokeswoman.