The official reopening of the Port Huon pool has been delayed by around six months after contractors identified additional work that needed to be urgently completed.
The pool on the Huon Highway at Port Huon closed in October 2023 for refurbishments with an initial plan to reopen “at the start of the new year”.
However, the Huon Valley Council now anticipates the facility won’t reopen until August due to necessary upgrades to the pool hall ventilation and heating system.
Mayor Sally Doyle said that while work on updating the pool lining was finished and other minor tasks such as installing new bench seating and fittings were in progress, the heating work has caused the delay.
“These works were originally scheduled to start later in the calendar year, but on completion of the detailed design, it was revealed that the ventilation upgrade must be completed before the pool hall can be reopened,” she said.
“Electrical upgrades are also needed to accommodate the requirements of the new air handling system.”
The council is currently seeking grant funding to assist with the electrical system upgrade, which falls outside the Council’s asset renewal program.
“[We will be installing] solar panels, roof insulation, double glazing on hall windows and additional roof purlins to handle extra solar panel weight,” she said.
“We acknowledge that re-opening the pool later in the year will be disappointing to many, but we are confident that it will be worth the wait.”
“The new pool, pool hall, and ventilation system will allow us to comfortably maintain heated pool water temperatures and provide a safe and comfortable pool hall environment.”
