Edinburgh Meadowbank Stadium replacement delayed by defects including mould and urine stains

Delays to the opening of Edinburgh’s new Meadowbank Sports Centre came as a result of a snagging list running to over 600 defects – which included mould on the wall and urine stains.

A freedom of information request (FOI) revealed the myriad of issues identified with the new £49m facility when it was handed to the council by contractors Graham Construction last month.

The state-of-the-art community sports complex, stadium and running track, which replaces the original Meadowbank built to host the 1970 Commonwealth Games, finally opened on Tuesday – two years late and £2m over budget.

In June, Edinburgh Leisure reported “the usual snagging issues” were being dealt with ahead of its opening to the public.

An FOI submitted by the Local Democracy Reporting Service shows that in total, 686 defects were discovered across the three floors upon inspection by council officials.

These included urine stains in one of the men’s toilets, mould on a wall and a hole in the wall of a female staff changing room.

A ‘drain full of rubble’, a disabled toilet with ‘doors not wide enough’, moss discovered behind a changing room toilet and a leaking shower hose were also listed amongst the build’s snagging problems.

Furthermore, there was poor and unfinished paintwork throughout the building, various cracked floor tiles, stained carpets and paint spilled on the floor.

An Edinburgh City Council spokesperson said the discovery of nearly 700 faults was “expected”, adding the number of snagging issues typically found in a newly-built house is between 50 and 150.

They said the contractor has dealt with “the vast majority” of issues and “some minor ones such as bits of paintwork” are outstanding.

June Peebles, chief executive of Edinburgh Leisure, said: “It’s usual for there to be snagging issues, especially with a building of this size, and we have been working with the City of Edinburgh Council and the main contractor to address the issues to ensure that many of them will be completed before we open.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming customers old and new to this multi-million-pound investment which will provide countless opportunities for Edinburgh citizens to be active and will undoubtedly contribute to the well-being of our City.”

The new venue on London Road supports accessible participation and includes two multi-sport games halls with seating, three fitness studios and a gym with triple the number of exercise stations.

Council leader Cammy Day said: “We are delighted with the new Meadowbank Sports Centre – I believe it will be one of the best facilities for community and club sport in the country. I hope the fantastic and top of the range facilities will encourage people to get more active and more often. I was very impressed when I was given my first look and I’m confident members old and new will be too.”