Brodie Recreation Center will reopen Monday following over two months of testing and renovation after lead dust was detected throughout the facility.
Duke announced the June 17 reopening in a Friday statement, marking the University’s first comment on the closure since April 4. According to the statement, recent testing of the facility concluded that it was safe to reopen following renovations and cleaning.
The pool will “remain closed and isolated from the remainder of the building” until its original renovation project is completed. University administration maintains that “proper protections” will be in place for all staff and visitors to the facility in the meantime.
Brodie Aquatics Center had been closed since March 4 for regularly scheduled “upgrades,” according to a March 4 email sent to Duke Recreation and Physical Education members.
Nearly a month later, the University sent an email notifying Duke Rec. and P.E. members of the entire facility’s closure, attributing the decision to “unforeseen circumstances surrounding current renovations.”
Duke administration later shared in an April 4 statement that lead dust was detected in the pool maintenance area, as well as on the floor in various locations throughout the building. The statement attributed the exposure to lead-containing paint on a support structure that was disturbed during the planned renovations.
“Following the closure, certified lead risk assessors conducted surface sampling and evaluations, including a lead-based and lead-containing paint survey and risk assessment,” the Friday statement reads. “State-certified contractors renovated, repaired, painted and cleaned the facility, and all areas were sampled to ensure the decontamination efforts were successful."
Throughout the closure, University administration did not respond to The Chronicle’s requests for comment about the facility’s treatment and whether plans were in place to test other campus facilities for lead.
In April, Brodie was treated by Enpuricon — an Apex, N.C.-based contractor specializing in asbestos, lead and mold remediation — according to signs placed around the facility.
In its April 4 statement, University administration indicated that it did not anticipate harmful health effects for anyone who entered the building following the paint disturbance. However, certain groups who used the facility after March 22 were encouraged to consult a medical professional, including those who are pregnant, have kidney disease or brought young children with them.
“Lead-based paint does not present a potential risk until it begins to deteriorate or is disturbed, and only then if any dust generated is subsequently ingested or inhaled,” according to the April 4 statement. “Short-term exposures to lead among adults are not considered a significant risk to health.”
The Friday announcement noted that areas of flooring were resurfaced and ceilings were painted during the facility’s closure. All equipment and surfaces were cleaned, in addition to the heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems.
“We’re excited to be reopening Brodie for the Duke community,” said Matthew Stiegel, director of the Duke Occupational and Environmental Safety Office. “We’re committed to providing a safe environment and will continue to review our policies and procedures to maintain that safe environment for everyone at Duke.”
Some students who routinely use the Brodie and Wilson Recreation Centers conveyed frustration with the closure, which impacted the availability of Duke’s recreational resources.
“The [basketball] courts have been a lot busier, especially at night,” said junior Jack Roberts. He explained that when Wilson Gym closed due to an Alumni Weekend event in April, the frequently-rented Card Gym became the only place for students to play basketball.
Sophomore David Mann, who lived on East Campus as a first-year during the closure, said he had to change his exercise routine as a result.
“I’ve kind of just stopped going to the gym and started doing other forms of exercise instead,” he said. “… The convenience of Brodie is what made me go to the gym.”
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Michael Austin is a Trinity junior and managing editor of The Chronicle's 120th volume.