The Edgar Centre is the latest building under the microscope as the Dunedin City Council carries out seismic strength tests on buildings it owns across the city.
Council staff on Friday confirmed a series of tests, including a seismic assessment, had been carried out to the gauge the state of the popular sports centre.
However, results could not be made public yet because the council first needed to consider a report on "options" for the building, council city property manager Laura McElhone said. The findings would also need to be discussed with the Edgar Centre trust and groups using the venue, she said.
The update came after Dr McElhone was asked about the Edgar Centre during a meeting of the council’s infrastructure services and networks committee last week.
A report to the committee gave councillors an overview of the ongoing programme of condition, seismic and asbestos assessments for council-owned buildings.
The tests had so far covered 20 community halls and 33 other buildings, although four council-owned buildings in Parry and Kitchener Sts were yet to be subjected to seismic assessments.
The Otago Daily Times reported late last year the tests had so far found six council buildings were earthquake-prone — the Maori Hill Coronation Hall, the Tonga Park changing rooms, Chingford Stables, the Roberts Park building, 61 Ward St and the recently bought Sammy’s venue.
It was not yet clear whether the Edgar Centre had a seismic strength problem, but the report to last week’s meeting noted problems with condensation and leaks in skylights above hard-floor court areas at the venue.
Asked at last week’s meeting if that was the only problem, Dr McElhone said it was not, but did not elaborate.
The Edgar Centre opened in 1995 and, at 14,400sq m, is one of the largest indoor recreation facilities in the southern hemisphere.
