The Minister for Education and Children has given an update on the progress being made to repair the flood-damaged National Sports Centre and Bowl.
Indoor and outdoor facilities have been out of use since severe flooding left them waterlogged on Thursday 3 December.
Only the swimming pools, spa suite and fitness zone are operational.
Minister Tim Crookall MLC said his Department was working with insurers, designers, contractors and suppliers to plan remedial works.
In some cases, this will mean improved rather than merely replacement facilities, the Minister said.
As an update:
Two sports halls, squash courts and the bowls hall – which were under two feet of water – are still drying out. The specialist company carrying out the drying must certify to insurers that this is done before other work can begin.
Prior to sprung sports flooring being installed, the opportunity will be taken to improve the lighting in the main sports hall, which involves use of heavy plant. Both sports halls will also be thoroughly cleaned and redecorated.
Tender documents are being issued to sprung flooring contractors to provide quotations for replacement floors. Subject to their availability, it is still hoped the sports halls will reopen in May.
Liaising closely with the Isle of Man Squash Rackets Association and Isle of Man Indoor Bowling Association, the DEC is investigating the feasibility of making improvements to the squash centre and bowls hall. It is too early to state when they will reopen.
All sports equipment in the NSC building and outdoors has been checked and either professionally cleaned and restored if salvageable or written off and will be replaced.
Sanitation and cleaning of the athletics track is planned to start on 8th February and it’s hoped the track will reopen the following week. However, landing mats, netting and sand are awaited from suppliers and will take several more weeks to arrive.
Specialists have taken samples from the surface and substructure of the Bowl pitch. A report is due shortly.
The Sports Institute, used by elite athletes, is still drying out. Again, certification must be issued before other work can commence. It requires redecorating. A large amount of equipment requires replacing. It is not known when it will reopen.
Work to replace the astro-pitch, which was written off, cannot commence until spring at the earliest and it’s hoped this will be completed during the summer.
The Minister said:
‘We appreciate the disruption that is being caused to sport with these facilities out of use. We are working as hard as we can to ensure work is carried out as quickly as possible while observing the procedures we have to go through to ensure best value for money and ensuring work is done to the quality required.
‘Liaising with the parties that need to agree the repairs, and supply specialist services and equipment, all takes time. Parts of the UK have been hard hit by flooding, too, and, in many cases, those we are dealing with have a queue of customers.
‘We have thankfully been able to relocate many activities to schools and other venues we are grateful for their cooperation.
‘We are continuing to liaise closely with the many users of the NSC and Bowl and we thank them for their patience while we restore the facilities to full use.’