After being closed for almost a year due to leaks and structural issues, work to reopen the Glenorchy War Memorial Pool is beginning.
The Glenorchy City Council shut the pool indefinitely in July 2023, but the promise of $5 million for a short-term fix from both the Labor and Liberal parties if they are elected means a “schedule of works” can now start.
Mayor Bec Thomas said the funding would allow the council to repair and reopen the pool while long-term planning continued.
“We know that keeping the pool closed upset many people in the community. It was a decision that had to be made, but it came with no warning,” she said.
“What we have heard loud and clear is that the community want the pool fixed and reopened and that it is an important facility, not just for people in Glenorchy but people across the Greater Hobart area.”
Last year, the council commissioned a consultant to investigate the long-term future of the pool site, including the possibility of the pool facility being redeveloped.
Mayor Thomas said community input into the project was now underway.
“The body of work we have asked MI Global Partners to undertake on our behalf remains extremely critical and we urge the community to make sure it gets involved and has a say,” she said.
“While this funding will allow us to address the immediate safety issues the pool has and reopen the facility for the community, it does not lessen the need for us to have a long-term strategic direction for the pool and the site as well as laying the groundwork for future government funding.”
