Horsham Aquatic Centre’s refurbished outdoor pool is on track to re-open next month.
Horsham’s War Memorial Swimming Pool, built by soldiers in 1956, has undergone a $1.5 million overhaul across the past eight months and its new life as a modern and reliable community asset will start from the first week of December.
Landscaping and the erection of shade structures will happen in the coming weeks, marking the completion of the two-stage renovation.
Horsham Rural City Council Director Infrastructure John Martin said the pool would take about five days to fill with water.
“Filling of the pool is anticipated to occur from 22 November to 26 November, Mr Martin said.
“A period of one week has been allowed for to ensure that commissioning of the upgraded pool runs smoothly, and at this stage we anticipate the public opening can happen by the end of the first week of December,” he said.
Mr Martin said the installation of the pool’s liner marked a significant milestone in the project.
“Up until recent months, much of the work was below ground level including upgraded filtration systems, pipework and alterations to the pool’s depth,” Mr Martin said.
“But progress has now become obvious to see with the pool’s concrete hob around the perimeter making way for a new wet deck and the liner is now being installed on both the floor and walls of the concrete shell of the pool.
“The PVC liner was rolled out and plastic welded together to provide an impermeable layer and it’s protected from abrasion on the underlying concrete by a fleece.”
Sport and Recreation Victoria has contributed $200,000 towards the project for the inclusion of the wet deck around the outside of the pool.
“The wet deck surrounding is the seamless edge to the pool that has replaced the older style of guttering system. It is slip resistant and makes entering the water easier,” Mr Martin said.
An official re-opening date is to be advised.
KEY CHANGES
- Removal of the hobs around the pool – to provide a flat wet deck for easier access to the pool.
- A ramp for all abilities access to the pool.
- Modified depths of the pool – maximum depth is now two metres.
- The shallow end is now 1.1m, previously it 0.9m deep.
- Improved filtration for water quality benefits.
- Reduced loss of water from the pool – to improve the efficiency of the pool’s operation.
