London - Wimbledon's Millennium media and player complex,
unveiled at the start of the new century, is falling apart due to
shoddy workmanship, the All England Club says in a 7.5-million-dollar
complaint filed in the High Court.
The club complains that the architects and their subcontractors
did not perform up to standard and left a building which is looking
shabby and decrepit in spots.
Wimbledon officials have already received a tender from the firm
which constructed this year's new Centre Court roof to make repairs
to the building which houses most player and media services at a cost
of up to 6.5 million dollars.
Wimbledon's 45-page complaint charges that the building suffers
from condensation in 75 percent of the windows, warped and twisted
timber, distorted handrails and daylight visible through timber
joints.
In addition, the complaint says that rain enters through warped
doors and windows and the complex is beginning to look seedy.
The architects respond that Wimbledon waited too long to make
their complaints known.
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NOTEBOOK: Minor Wimbledon swine flu scare abating =
London (dpa) - The brief swine flu scare at Wimbledon seems to be
settling down, with three of the original four balls boys suspected
of being ill and sent home now back on court.
But London media report that several other people on staff,
including employees from the gift shop, international broadcast
centre and catering are now resting at home after exhibiting
symptoms.
A spokesman said a total of 28 employees were asked to remain at
home for the moment.
Newspapers also report that three minor players, Slovaks Michal
Mertinak and Filip Polasek and American doubles competitor Travis
Parrott, were also believed to have caught the flu after Slovaks
shared a hotel room and the Parrott played as doubles partner to
Polasek.
All three have since departed the tournament after losing.
USA
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