The Olympia will remain open until two weeks before the replacement pool becomes operational next summer, it has been confirmed.
Stewart Murdoch, Leisure and Culture Dundee managing director, told The Courier: ”Our full understanding is that the pools, as far as possible, would have a seamless period of changing over, with a brief period when the existing pool would be closed.
”This is to allow for the changeover of staff and training.”
He said closure was part of a planned six-week commissioning programme from the date the new pool is handed over by contractors Mansell, estimated to be some time in April or the beginning of May.
”It will all kick in from the day we get access to the new pool,” he said.
Mr Murdoch admitted he was disappointed by the delay, but said he would rather wait until it was fit for purpose than be handed a sub-standard facility.
”Our programme has now been pushed back with the delay, but we are still planning to do that in advance of the summer school holidays.”
Meanwhile, the opposition parties have condemned what they called the ”spin” used in announcing the delayed opening.
Labour group leader Kevin Keenan said: ”It’s disappointing that we read in the press that the opening of the (new) Olympia is to be delayed, particularly as every report we have been presented with suggested things were all well.
”Mr Guild should have brought a report to council before using the council’s press office to deliver the administration’s spin.”
Lib Dem councillor Fraser Macpherson said it was ”disappointing and unfortunate that the council chose to hide the setback.”
He added: ”They tried to present unfortunate news as something other than that, and it is not the way the council should be operating.”
Administration leader Ken Guild said the council was ”still committed to delivering a state-of-the-art swimming pool for people of all ages to enjoy as soon as possible”.
”The delay has come as much news to me as it has to anyone else, a couple of weeks ago we were not aware of any problems and we have moved very quickly to let people know as soon as possible.”
Lord Provost Bob Duncan said ”unfortunately” the pool would be delayed ”quite considerably.”
”I’ve been told there was a problem with utilities like the electricity being connected,” he continued.
Dundee City Council confirmed the pool would be ready ”in time for the summer school holidays in 2013.”
Dave Clark, president of the Dundee City Aquatics swimming club, warned that local swimmers could see their Commonwealth Games hopes sunk if the city is left short of facilities for months on end.
”We need to have guarantees that we can get access to the school pools,” he said.
”We are quite hopeful of getting that, though.
”We have swimmers targeting the Commonwealth Games and it’s a priority that they continue training.”