Further analysis is required to address issues with the NSC pool tiles following a specialist inspection in March.
The findings, which include concerns over tiles and the pool’s movable floor, have yet to yield a costed repair plan, leaving questions unanswered about timelines and accountability.
Minister for Education, Sport, and Culture, Daphne Caine, was grilled on the issue by Jason Moorhouse in Keys on Tuesday.
Inspection and Delays
Mrs Caine said: “Following the recent inspection carried out on the third of March, a report providing further information has been received. However, further analysis is required, and that is currently being undertaken.”
She emphasised that no conclusions could be drawn until the analysis is complete, adding, “Until the further analysis has been carried out, I am unable to predetermine any findings or learnings from the inspection.”
When pressed for a timeline by Jason Moorhouse, the Minister admitted: “There can’t be a costed plan until causes [are] known.”
Such has been the delay in repairing the tile issue, which first arose in 2023, Mr Moorhouse asked whether the department may need contingencies for the Island Games in 2029, but Mrs Caine said she was confident it will be long fixed by then.
Pool Functionality and Expert Involvement
Questions were also raised about the operational status of the pool’s movable floor.
Julie Edge (Onchan) asked: “Can the minister confirm, is the movable floor still in operation or not?” Mrs Caine said that she understands the floor is operational, despite the ongoing tile issues.
The inspection was conducted by an “off Island specialist” in early March but the minister could not provide a completion date for the ongoing analysis.
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