JOHOR BARU: The Arena Larkin Aquatic Centre will remain closed and no date has been set for its reopening at this time, says the Johor Baru City Council (MBJB).
Its mayor Datuk Mohd Noorazam Osman said the centre will only be reopened once the Chemistry Department asserts that it is safe for public use.
This comes after the pools were recently found to contain E.coli bacteria.
"For now, we have not set a date for the reopening of the centre. Until and unless we have received the all-clear from the Chemistry Department, it will remain shut as this is a matter of public health and safety," said Mohd Noorazam.
"The department will be conducting several tests. The first line of testing has been completed, and the department is expected to conduct the second test," he added, saying that MBJB has given a stern warning to the centre's management.
He said this to the press when met after the MBJB full council meeting on Wednesday (July 31).
Mohd Noorazam also said that despite its name, the centre is not under the MBJB.
“The centre was supposed to be handed over to MBJB, but that has yet to happen as the developer has not fulfilled some criteria. The centre is currently being managed by the contractor outsourced by Damansara Assets,” he said.
Mohd Noorazam added that Damansara Assets is an arm of Johor Corporation (JCorp).
On Tuesday (July 30), Johor Youth, Sports, Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Committee chairman Mohd Hairi Mad Shah confirmed that the water in the swimming and diving pools at the centre contains E. coli bacteria.
Prior to this on Thursday (June 27), 19 students out of 900 participants in a tournament were rushed to the hospital after experiencing symptoms such as vomiting, fever and itchy skin.
This is believed to have been caused by the water in the swimming pool and diving pool at the aquatic centre.
