Commonwealth Games Pool Experiencing Trouble -- October 24, 2005

MELBOURNE, Australia, October 24. A little more than four months shy of the start of the Commonwealth Games, the pool at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre is leaking water from 12 locations. The $51.5 million pool is slated to host the likes of Australia’s Ian Thorpe and South Africa’s Roland Schoeman next year.

Justin Madden, the Commonwealth Games minister, indicated that the leaks are small in nature, but unless repaired, will lead to significant water loss. The pool has been drained and the leaks are believed to be in the rubber membrane of the prefabricated structure. The pool is under warranty, according to Madden, and repairs should not dent the budget for the event.