Deal done on DG One

And a fresh vision is planned for the council facility in Dumfries when it re-opens, with changes to its design and roles on site for NHS staff.
In a statement yesterday, Dumfries and Galloway Council said: “Work could not start on the building until the council had settled with Kier Construction Ltd (Kier).
“Following the successful conclusion of mediation discussions between the council and Kier, a settlement has been agreed by both parties.”
It added: “The terms of the agreement are confidential and cannot be disclosed, but the agreement allows the matter to be successfully resolved and means that a contractor can now be appointed.”
DG One opened in 2008, but closed in October 2014 to allow a full inspection of identified defects.
The dispute with Kier was settled through mediation rather than the courts, and councillors yesterday agreed for the repairs contract to be awarded – with the contractor set to be named in two weeks’ time.
Kier will play no further role in DG One, and a spokesman for the firm said: “We are pleased that a settlement has been reached between both parties to fund remedial works.”
Councillors also agreed ‘amendments to the building’ so that it ‘brings together a range of professional services to help keep people fit and active’. And the council says it has been working with the NHS to see how DG One can provide a wider range of services.
The local authority said: “Current discussions are investigating the possibility of a rehabilitation or physiotherapy facility.
“NHS officers who have a health remit are also going to be based within the building who will work with the council to provide a better service to local individuals and communities.”
Council leader Ronnie Nicholson acknowledges a ‘frustrating time’ for centre users, and says legal processes have limited an ability to comment.
But he said: “Although this was a problem I inherited when I became council leader, I am determined to ensure that local people will have a DG One we can be proud of.”
A schedule for repairs has yet to be announced, but were previously estimated at lasting 18 months and costing between £6 million and £10 million.