NSC pool tiles


Authority	[[department-of-education-sport-and-culture
Date received	2026-01-12
Outcome	Some information sent but not all held
Outcome date	2026-02-09
Topic	[[planning-housing

Summary

A request was made for details regarding the unresolved broken tiles at the National Sports Centre swimming pool, including repair timelines and insurance status. The Department of Education, Sport and Culture responded that the request consisted of questions rather than a request for held information, resulting in a partial disclosure where some information was not held.

Key Facts

The broken tiles at the NSC swimming pool were first identified in November 2023.
The Department stated that repairs cannot proceed until the root cause is identified.
The authority clarified that the request contained questions rather than a request for existing information.
The Department does not hold or cannot find some of the information requested after taking reasonable steps.
Clarification was sought on 15 January 2026 to narrow the scope of the request.

Data Disclosed

November 2023
2026-01-12
2026-01-15
2026-02-09
section 8 (3)(c) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015
3 pages
1 document

Exemptions Cited

Section 8 (3)(c) of the Freedom of Information Act 2015 (substantial compilation and collation)
Information not held or cannot be found after reasonable steps

Original Request

I am writing to seek clear answers regarding the unresolved issue with the broken tiles at the National Sports Centre swimming pool, first identified in November 2023.

While the Department has repeatedly stated that repairs cannot proceed until the 'root cause' of the problem has been identified, this explanation is increasingly difficult to accept given the length of time that has passed. I would therefore be grateful if you could address the following points directly:

Why has the issue still not been resolved more than 2 years after it was identified, and what specific technical uncertainty is still preventing repairs from being undertaken?
What concrete actions have been taken during this period to progress a permanent solution, and what measurable outcomes have resulted from those actions?
Why has a temporary or partial repair not been carried out to restore full use of the pool while investigations continue? Shortening the lane is not a repair.
When will the issue be fixed? Please provide a clear and realistic timetable, or explain precisely why one cannot currently be given.

I would also like clarification regarding insurance and funding:

Does the Department hold appropriate insurance to cover defects or failures of this nature at the NSC?
If so, why has this insurance not been used to fund or expedite repairs?
If no insurance claim has been made, or if a claim was rejected, please explain the reasons.

Finally, I ask for transparency regarding future planning:

Is the Department intending to delay major repair work until closer to the Island Games?
If so, why has this approach not been communicated openly to NSC users and the wider public?

Given the importance of the NSC to the Island's sporting community, I believe users are entitled to clear, honest answers and a demonstrable plan to resolve this long-running issue.