Swim-in protests and almost 2000 submissions from concerned residents, have ensured Katoomba’s 50-metre outdoor pool will have another life, at least in the short term.
The pool was initially slated for closure this year, after a draft proposal from staff said it was too expensive for council to repair and maintain.
But while Blue Mountains mayor Mark Greenhill has guaranteed the pool will stay open for “the next two terms of council,” after that the future is still uncertain.
Council has allocated $2.67 million for pool renewal over the next five years but to replace all “failing pools” requires $8.56 million.
“The pools are here, but for a defined time,” the mayor told the Gazette. “This question will come up again. It's takes $8 million to save the pool. We have got enough to keep it going, but it remains to be seen for how long…it won’t be the case in this term of council or even the next that we will be faced with a hard choice...but we are going to have to work with the community … about the future of the pools. It’s not over. Pools are still very costly. There's no magic wand.”
An earlier draft Open Space and Recreation Strategic Plan also proposed closing six other pools in the region – toddlers and mid-sized pools at Blackheath (two), Lawson (two) and Katoomba (two). Only the two smaller pools in Katoomba will shut down – giving the 50 metre pool a standalone filtration system as per modern compliance needs.
A council spokeswoman said the outdoor childrens’ pools at Katoomba “have deteriorated to the point where they can’t be retained”.
“Council will retain the free-form and toddler pools at the Blackheath Pool for the time being but is looking at options to extend the life of these pools and will continue to monitor any further deterioration of the pool structures, in consultation with engineers. Council will also retain the two children’s pools at Lawson and put in a new filtration system ... to the existing children’s pools, with minor improvements to the surrounds of the children’s pool.”
Options to extend the life of the 50m outdoor pool at Katoomba and the children’s pools at Blackheath, is expected to be presented to the council meeting in September 2018.
A council spokeswoman confirmed they had received 1900 submissions from the community on the draft plan and “99 per cent of submissions (616 original submissions plus 1354 template submissions) were commenting on the theme of pools”.
The issue was put out on public display earlier this year and the community – including the Blue Mountains Teachers Federation, Blue Mountains Union and Community Council and Katoomba Swim Club – were among those fighting the closure.
John Tognolini, secretary of NSW Teachers Federation Association Blues Mountains, said while he was unhappy with the toddler pools closing, he felt keeping the outdoor pool open was a “big win”.
“We’ve won a bit of a victory for the time being … but we’ve got to keep on fighting. I’m disappointed about closing these smaller pools. It is very important for the learn-to-swim program and it could hasten the demise of the outdoor pool.
“The campaign was an exercise in community building from Woodford to Mount Victoria. It’s a win for the Katoomba Swimming Club and for local schools with our school carnivals. It’s also a major health asset for people recovering from illness and injuries. I’d like to thank everyone who’s been involved in the campaign, including the swim ins ... those who made submissions and signed petitions.”
Greens councillor Kerry Brown said she was also pleased staff “have listened … rather than close the pool [and] propose investing in facilities that will increase its appeal and use as a recreational and social facility”.
Cr Don McGregor said “the pool was like a big old car … at some stage we might need to trade it in … [but] staff have done a good job to extend its life”.
Council staff recently undertook routine maintenance on the pool shell, which is typically emptied and inspected every three to four years. The work included re-painting, expansion joint repairs, fixing broken tiles and fibreglass patchwork. A plan to heat Blackheath’s 25 metre pool to extend that season has now been kyboshed.
