Construction firm Rohcon, which built the €62 million National Aquatic Centre, has rejected claims that its representatives observed leaks from the centre's pools during a technical examination on Monday.
The claims were made on Tuesday by Dublin Waterworld, which runs the centre, before it was directed by the High Court yesterday to facilitate a further examination of the complex last night. The company reiterated such claims last night in response to Rohcon's statement.
Claims of leaks have emerged as Dublin Waterworld fights two actions against it by the State-owned company that owns the building, Campus & Stadium Ireland Development (CSID).
CSID was set up at the behest of Taoiseach Bertie Ahern to manage the aquatic centre at Abbotstown, west Dublin, and a wider stadium project at the site which was shelved. CSID is suing Dublin Waterworld for its failure to pay rent and insurance, and claims the company has failed to maintain the centre properly.
While CSID's claim for rent and insurance will be heard by the High Court, the maintenance claim is the subject of arbitration. Dublin Waterworld rejects that claim, arguing that it cannot properly maintain a leaking pool.
The company said in its statement on Tuesday that Rohcon's inspection team closed the pool plant for one hour, resulting in a six-inch drop in the water-level in the balance tanks.
"It is quite apparent that there are significant faults at the National Aquatic Centre. Among these faults are leaks from the diving pool and competition pool. Rohcon's sub-contractor witnessed the drop in water levels when the plant was off, and could not offer a reasonable explanation for the drop," it said.
This statement was rejected yesterday by Rohcon, which said it would issue a full report on completion of the examination scheduled to conclude last night.
"A test was carried out by our specialist contractors Euro Pools on the competition pool, the diving pool, the balance tanks and all the associated pipe works to confirm that there was no water leaking. Both pools were isolated and observed over a period of time, and it was found that no water was leaking."
Rohcon continued: "The two technical teams present, consisting of URS Structural Engineers for Rohcon and Davis Langdon PKS and Kavanagh Mansfield Structural Engineers for CSID, are satisfied that both pools are watertight."
But Dublin Waterworld said last night that it was "ludicrous" to suggest that there are no leaks at the centre. "Rohcon have twice repaired major bursts to the diving pool tank at the centre and no doubt they will have to come back again to fix the numerous defects that still exist at the centre," it said.
Rohcon's spokesman said he had nothing to add. "Engineers for Rohcon and engineers for CSID found no leaks."
