Stribling Reserve Stadium

Published on 09 February 2024

Stribling Reserve Stadium

Page last updated:
4 March 2024

Surf Coast Shire Council has closed Lorne’s Stribling Reserve basketball stadium due to mould underneath its floorboards.

Situation update

  • Mould treatment specialists were on site during the week of 26 February completing investigations and assessment of the mould, and treatment options.

  • Following cleaning, sports equipment has been stored temporarily in containers on-site. This equipment is available for use by the school.

What will be required

  • Contractors have confirmed that the mould present impacts timber, so effective treatment will involve lifting the stadium floorboards and an underlying membrane to allow access for scrubbing of bearers, joists and stumps.
  • The bearers, joists and stumps will then need to be assessed by a structural engineer to determine if any need replacing.
  • Along with that process, sources of moisture underneath the stadium will need to be identified and addressed, and adequate ventilation ensured to prevent return of mould growth.
  • A new stadium floor will then need to be installed.
  • The existing floor will not be able to be reused.

Looking forward

  • A timeline for the required works cannot be determined at this point due to uncertainty over the condition of the bearers, joists and stumps.
  • The complexity of the works means careful planning is required.
  • Council is committed to ensuring work is completed as quickly as possible to minimise inconvenience and impact for the school, and for community activities.

Stribling Reserve Pavilion

Stribling Reserve Pavilion is not impacted and remains open to users.

Health advice

  • We have liaised with the Barwon South West Public Health Unit in relation to potential health risks associated with mould exposure.
  • Health authorities advise that most people are unlikely to be affected by exposure to mould.
  • For some people exposure to mould spores can lead to temporary symptoms such as nasal congestion, sneezing, coughing, and wheezing. They can also increase the risk of respiratory infections.
  • There is a higher risk for people with allergy to mould, or who have asthma or lung disease, chronic illnesses such as diabetes, or weakened immune systems.
  • Any stadium users with respiratory or related concerns should consult a GP.
  • Council is liaising with the Lorne P-12 College, members of the Stribling Reserve Community Asset Committee, and Stribling Reserve user groups.

More information

We will provide further updates as we work through the next steps. We will send another newsletter to users and update people via this webpage.

General information on mould

Download the above information as a PDF(PDF, 59KB)

FAQs

What caused the mould at the stadium?

Mould spreads in areas that are damp and poorly ventilated so we will be investigating whether water leaks, ongoing humidity or inadequate ventilation are factors. Specialists advise that the ventilation within the stadium building itself is functioning well. The mould is principally located under the stadium floor so this is our focus. There is also a small amount in a storage unit, which we will also treat.

What exactly is mould?

Mould is a type of fungus that grows in moist or humid places. It occurs naturally in the environment and can be found almost anywhere indoors.

What is Council doing to fix the problem?

We have closed and sealed the stadium.

Specialist contractors have investigated the causes of the mould growth and type of mould and are determining a timeline for treatment.

The mould present impacts timber, so effective treatment will involve lifting the stadium floorboards and an underlying membrane to allow access for scrubbing of bearers, joists and stumps.

The bearers, joists and stumps will then need to be assessed by a structural engineer to determine if any need replacing.

Along with that process, sources of moisture underneath the stadium will need to be identified and addressed, and adequate ventilation ensured to prevent return of mould growth.

A new stadium floor will then need to be installed.

The existing floor will not be able to be reused.

Council is committed to ensuring work is completed as quickly as possible to minimise inconvenience and impact for the school, and for community activities.

 

For how long will the stadium be closed?

It’s too early to say when the stadium will be ready to reopen.

Council is committed to ensuring work is completed as quickly as possible to minimise inconvenience and impact for the school, and for community activities.

What is happening with the sports equipment that was in the stadium?

The sports equipment is being cleaned and stored in containers on site. The school has access to the equipment including for upcoming athletics sports carnivals.

What about Stribling Reserve Pavilion?

Stribling Reserve Pavilion is not impacted and remains open to users.

Is mould a health concern?

Health authorities advise that most people are unlikely to be affected by exposure to mould.

For some people exposure to mould can trigger temporary symptoms including nasal congestion, sneezing, cough, wheeze and respiratory infections. Mould can worsen asthma and allergic conditions.

People who are more susceptible to health impacts include those with:

  • weakened immune systems
  • allergies
  • severe asthma
  • chronic, obstructive, or allergic lung diseases

Find out more

What should I do if I am worried about exposure to the mould?

Anyone who is concerned about potential health effects of mould should seek medical advice, for example from their usual general practitioner.

Where can I get more information?

Council will provide regular updates through this web page as we finalise our investigation and commence the clean up and repairs.

Find out more

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