A SWIMMING pool will COLLAPSE if rotting concrete pillars underneath it are not fixed quickly.

That is the stark warning due to be given to councillors tonight (Tuesday) about Hatfield Swim Centre.

A report being presented to Welwyn Hatfield Council’s cabinet reveals how chlorine has affected two of the supporting pillars in the under-croft around the Lemsford Road pool.

Council officer Graham Meikle said: “Following deterioration of the concrete, an investigation into the cause of the deterioration was carried out.

“The investigations revealed high chloride levels within the concrete to a depth of 35mm.

“Beyond that depth the pillars are in good condition and the council has been advised there is no immediate threat to the structure.”

However, the report adds if left untreated it is “inevitable” the structure will deteriorate with increasing speed and become unsound in the next two to five years.

Mr Meikle said: “The building is constructed of pre-stressed concrete beams and columns that are under significant pressure.

“A failure of the building could be extremely dangerous. As such, the impact would be very high.”

Councillors are set to be told the pool could remain open while repair work was carried out, and the cost of fixing the problem would be around �110,000.

This would include cathodic chloride extraction, concrete repair works and a protective paint coating to reduce any further contamination to the pillars.

Mr Meikle’s report warns, also, depending on how successful the repairs were, it “may be necessary to periodically repeat the extraction process”.

This would cost a further �3,000 to �5,000 on a three to five-year cycle.

The cabinet will also be advised a total bid for �342,500 has been made to next year’s capital programme.

This includes the cost of roof replacement – a project due to take place this year but held over to be carried out at the same time as the pillar repairs, to minimise disruption – and a �50,000 kitty just in case temporary closure of the pool cannot be avoided.