Deal due ‘very soon’ over flagship leisure centre

Dumfries and Galloway Council say an agreement may be reached ‘very soon’ over the problem-plagued DG One in Hoods Loaning, after protracted discussions with contractor Kier Construction Limited.
DG One opened to the public in 2008, but was closed in October 2014 to allow a full inspection of defects within the £17 million building.
As a result of the closure, a temporary swimming pool was established within the car park of Dumfries Ice Bowl while the gym was rehoused within The Loreburn Hall.
Legal proceedings had been threatened against Kier Construction Limited over the problems, but the local authority has insisted that out-of-court mediations offered the chance of the best resolution.
Speaking this week, a council spokesman said: “As people know, representatives of Dumfries and Galloway Council and contractor, Kier Construction Limited, have been engaged in mediation for some time to explore an out-of-court settlement in respect of DG One.
“Discussions between our council and Kier have been positive and are now in the final stages and it is hoped that a settlement will be agreed very soon.”
He added: “The mediation process is confidential and, in the circumstances, it would not be appropriate to say any more at this point in time.
“A further update will be issued in the next few days.”
Nith Ward Councillor Alastair Witts has welcomed the progress.
Praising the facility when functional, Councillor Witts said: “It’s a great sense of relief that finally we appear to be coming to a resolution.
“We were told about it but unfortunately bound by confidentiality not to mention the sums involved, but it’s statisfactory, as far as we’re concerned.”
While there have been rumours of possibly rebuilding DG One from scratch, perhaps in an alternate location, Councillor Witts said: “It’s not going to be starting from scratch – just making good what was there in the first place.
“In these difficult financial times, even with a fair settlement from Kier there’s no way we could afford to look at it from another perspective.”