THE Sands Centre auditorium in Carlisle, which has been closed since September, will not be reopened this year, it has been revealed.
In September it was announced that events there had been postponed following the change in government guidance on reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC, which had been found to be present in the auditorium roof.
This initially led to the scrapping of Shrek The Musical along with other scheduled events in the month ahead. At the time a Cumberland Council spokesman reiterated that the new main building of Sands Centre, which houses pools, gym, sports halls, café, bars, and restaurant, remained unaffected and open.
This week councillors in Carlisle raised the continued closure, saying people want to know what’s going on.
Council leader, Cllr Mark Fryer confirmed that the Sands auditorium would not reopen this year and added: “It won’t be opened until it’s safe and secure.”