Asbestos closes Oak Park Leisure Centre
Asbestos closes Oak Park Leisure Centre
Adam Lumley The YamYam 19 Feb 10
Both swimming pools at a popular council run leisure centre in Walsall Wood will close on Monday following the discovery of materials containing asbestos in the boiler room.
As part of a survey conducted ahead of an upgrade to the fire alarm and emergency lighting systems, the dangerous material was found to be present and in a decaying condition. Exposure to air borne asbestos particles can result in a form of cancer known as mesothelioma. The disease affects the lining of the lungs and can lead to death. Symptoms of mesothelioma do not present themselves until years, and sometimes decades, after the initial exposure.
Sports operations manager for Walsall Council, Peter Jeffery, said: “It appears in common with most buildings which were built in the 1970's, asbestos containing material was used in the construction of Oak Park Leisure Centre.
“Fortunately, the room where the deterioration was discovered is never used by members of the public. The method of removal of the material has been approved by Health and Safety and air sampling in the room itself was negative.
“Once the material has been sealed and removed, we will install the fire alarm system and seek to programme centre activities around the work.”
The number of council staff, both past and present who have accessed to the boiler room, is not know. The leisure centre will continue to operate during the anticipated two week closure but the swimming pools will be closed and showers will not be available. Work to remove the asbestos containing material is likely to cost in the region of £10,000. It is hoped that the pools will reopen on 7 March.
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