NEARLY $500,000 will be spent replacing all the tiles in the 50-metre pool at Wodonga’s WAVES aquatic centre after they began falling off.
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Councillors on Monday night unanimously agreed to give a $484,181 contract to Albury’s FA & CM Morgan Ceramic Tilers who have previously tiled Albury pool and the Wodonga Sports and Leisure Centre.
Tiles have dropped off at the pool since May 2016 with the Melbourne firm that installed them Ceramic Solutions telling The Border Mail in October the problem was caused by “drying shrinkage” related to a lack of time between the concrete curing and tiling, rather than the quality of adhesive used.
The company and the council remain in a legal stand-off over the issue.
Councillor Tim Quilty said on Monday night the tile fix should establish the exact reason for the problem.
“I’m informed that as part of this repair process we will be having experts to assess the pool to establish the problem really was the glue not the structure of the pool or design flaws,” he said.
Former mayor John Watson expressed frustration at the work needed on a pool that only opened in February 2013.
“It is very disappointing that we have basically a brand new pool that is needing a large amount of repairs,” he said.
Speaking after the meeting, council chief executive Patience Harrington said a full reimbursement for the tile repairs was being sought from the original installer based on guarantees having been given about the quality of the work.
“We would be looking to seek all the costs that council has incurred, all that to come back,” Ms Harrington said.
She said legal proceedings had not been formally launched in court, with lawyers for the council and the company in discussions.
Meanwhile, the council will seek feedback on a revised Baranduda Fields master plan.
Councillors Kat Bennett and Danny Lowe said it was important to have a plan to lobby for government funding.
Colleague Ron Mildren said he supported Baranduda Fields but it was still five to 10 years away from demand warranting construction.
Cr Quilty is no hurry to see the fields, saying “I don’t need a grand memorial of the legacy of my time on council, other councillors might differ”.