THE oldest pool in the Highlands will be closed this summer.
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The Mittagong Pool was damaged during the East Coast storm that lashed the Highlands in June.
The closure of the pool for the 2016/17 swim season was recommended at the recent meeting of council’s finance committee.
General manager Ann Prendergast said it was “with great regret” that the committee came to this decision.
“The safety of our patrons is of paramount importance and with this in mind we do not have a re-opening date as yet,” she said.
“However it’s fair to assume the site will not re-open for this year’s summer swim season.”
Estimated costs and repair time frames have yet to be finalised.
Inspections by engineers have revealed major damage to both pools and the adjacent plant room.
The structural damage sustained to the floor of the 25-metre pool is of most concern and initial investigations have revealed flood waters may have caused potential issues to the structural integrity of the 50-metre pool.
Mayor Larry Whipper said the decision “was not taken lightly”.
“We didn’t want to make it a rush job, this will allow us to take a breath and allow for the whole season to consider long term options available to us,” he said.
“We really do need to investigate the vulnerability of the pool and the best way to repair it, as anything else would be a waste of rate payers money.”
Council will consider this recommendation and confirm its position at the ordinary council meeting on August 24.
“We will have to consider any other compensations and accommodate the cost on the community at the meeting,” Mayor Whipper said.
“We’ve got to look at the investment of rate payers money and make sure we don’t encounter these problems again.
“Tragically it’s the most beautiful pool in the area, but it’s also in the middle of the Nepean River.”
The hours for Bowral Swimming Pool are likely to be extended to accommodate for the temporary closure.
Opening hours for both Bowral and Bundanoon Swimming Pools will be finalised shortly. Opening hours for the Moss Vale War Memorial Aquatic Centre: www.mvaquatic.com.au.
Council apologised for any inconvenience.
