Safety issues closing Tepids

The Auckland City Council has announced that the Tepid Baths in downtown Auckland will be closing for several years to undergo major structural work next year.

The closure comes as a result of significant structural issues facing the 95-year-old building.

Independent engineering reports commissioned by the council have identified poor building conditions which is to be expected given its age.

The reports show rapid deterioration of the building and as a result public safety might soon be compromised.

Engineers say the building should be safe for another six to nine months and there will be three-monthly monitoring during this time.

Arts, culture and recreation committee chairman Greg Moyle says the closure of the baths has been a difficult decision but given the substantial decay of the building the council has no choice.

"It is with regret that we will have to enforce a temporary but long-term closure of this public facility," he says.

Mr Moyle says it is the only feasible option while structural issues are fixed.

There is $12 million set aside in the council’s 2012 and 2013 budget for redevelopment of the pools and this is the earliest the work is likely to occur.

"Given the timing associated with planning and consents for the redevelopment, our intention is to preserve this wonderful heritage building and reopen it in 2014 in time for its 100th birthday," says Mr Moyle.

The Tepid Baths, opened in 1914, is scheduled in the district plan as a category A heritage building.

- © Fairfax NZ News