"One of these panes have ended up on an adjacent roof and caused damage as it pierced a hole in its roof, another pane came lose and was never found. It is imperative that temporary safety measures are implemented without delay to safeguard all individuals in and around the Northside Shopping Centre facility ... the potential for further glazing failures poses a high risk of serious injury or property damage."
"The shopping centre, which has housed the swimming pool since 1970, is privately owned by German real estate investor AM Alpha and managed by Savills, to whom the council pay an annual maintenance fee of €88,000."
"Due to the extreme urgency of the situation, DCC awarded the contract to J&F Facility Services ltd without a prior call for competition. This procedure is allowed for under tendering rules if the tender process timeline isn't compatible with the works necessary."
Coolock Swimming Pool has been shut since December 2024 following storm damage that left the roof in a dangerous condition. The facility, housed in the privately-owned Northside Shopping Centre since 1970, is managed by Savills with the council paying €88,000 annually in maintenance fees. High winds dislodged glass panes from the roof structure, with one causing damage to an adjacent roof. Dublin City Council issued an emergency tender in January, awarding the contract to J&F Facility Services Ltd without competitive bidding due to extreme urgency. Perspex panelling will be installed for safety. The council intends to negotiate with building owners regarding cost responsibility, though no assurances have been provided.
#infrastructure-damage #public-facility-closure #emergency-repairs #local-government #property-management
Read at Irish Independent
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