Carlisle’s Sands Centre auditorium – forced to close after a change in Government guidance over concrete – will not reopen this year.
The auditorium has reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete, known as RAAC, in its roof. It was found in its roof in 2019. The Government changed its guidance on the use of the material in September last year, and in October, Cumberland Council said it could not use the auditorium until the end of 2024.
All shows, including the popular pantomime at Christmas, had to be cancelled.
The Sands Centre has since launched a series of classical concerts, which take place in its sports hall. The next one will take place on May 9.
Its café, bars, and restaurant are also closed.
On Tuesday, during a meeting of the council at the Civic Centre in Carlisle, when members were discussing an annual report relating to call in and urgency rules the subject over the continued closure was raised.
Councillor Robert Betton (Botcherby, Independent Group) asked the council leader, Mark Fryer about the closure.
He said nothing had been said about the centre or the contractor which was carrying out the work to repair the ceiling.
He added: “People need to know about the Sands.”
Cllr Fryer confirmed that it would not reopen this year and added: “It won’t be opened until it’s safe and secure. I will write to you with the details about the contractor.”
In January it was announced that Carlisle firm Cubby Construction had been appointed to design and replace the Sands Centre RAAC roof after councillors approved the move during the private part of that month’s meeting of the full council.
