By Jeremy Sollars
Junior rugby league games at Warwick’s Collegians club will be held elsewhere until further notice after the playing surface at their Jackie Howe Drive field tested positive for asbestos this week.
The Collegians field has been cordoned off after the discovery was made this week and fixtures due to be played tomorrow, Saturday 18 August, will be played on the Warwick Cowboys field instead.
A meeting was held with parents ahead of regular Thursday training yesterday.
The Queensland Rugby League issued a statement to the Free Times on behalf of Collegians late today, Friday, with a QRL spokesman saying the club had received information about the asbestos from “a third party” on Tuesday of this week.
“In December 2017, the club engaged a contractor to supply us with top soil for the ongoing maintenance of our field,” the statement said.
“Following advice on Tuesday of this week regarding possible soil contamination, we engaged Asbestos Removal Qld to test the soil at the facility.
“At this point we immediately closed the field for further use.
“On Thursday, August 16, we received advice that the soil testing showed positive fragments of asbestos.
“We made immediate arrangements to have the field secured with temporary fencing and the appropriate signage displayed.
“We have also contacted our Regional Council and the Queensland Rugby League to advise them of the situation.
“We have communicated all details of this situation to our members and will continue to support them through this process.
“At this stage our priority is the safety of our members and to ensure that we strictly follow all advice given to us by the experts the club has engaged.”
More to come.
