Memorial Pool Information

Executive Summary 

Memorial Pool was built in the 1950s and is currently in very poor condition:

• It is an end-of-life asset with significant structural and mechanical failures.

• Ongoing operation relies on short-term, reactive maintenance and carries an increasing risk of critical plant failure.

• Approximately $80k–$100k would be required to maintain short-term operation, with limited benefit. This funding would be spent on temporary fixes that would not deliver visible improvements for the community.

• There has been no significant renewals or investment in the facility over the past decade as it has been earmarked for replacement. 

The facility is underused and financially unsustainable. In FY25, the pool recorded 21,000 visits, with a net ratepayer cost of $14.62 per visit. 

While we initially considered keeping the pool operating for one more season, its condition, ongoing water leaks and operating costs led us to reconsider. Given the need for Council to identify savings to help minimise rates increases, closing the facility was a reasonable decision, particularly as the new Memorial Park Aquatic Centre (MPAC) is planned for the site of the existing pool. 

While in the medium term, the community will lose access to this aquatic facility over the summer season, the intention is to replace it on the same site with a significantly improved facility. The existing pool would always have needed to close to make way for the new MPAC; the key question was one of timing.

Current Issues with Memorial Pool 

• The facility is approximately 70 years old and has had no significant renewals over the past decade. 

• The pool plant does not meet current pool water quality safety standards. 

• There is significant water loss due to leaks in the pool tank and collapsed underground return pipes, contributing to increasing leakage across the site. 

• Water loss has been monitored and tested, and it has increased year on year. Before opening last season, testing showed average losses of 105.6m3 (105,000 litres) per day, equivalent to refilling all pools every eight days. 

• This level of water loss also makes it difficult to maintain a suitable swimming temperature. Due to the constant topping up with cold water, the team struggled to keep the pool at or above 25 degrees except on very hot summer days. 

• Constant refilling also increases the demand for chemicals (chlorine etc) to maintain water quality and therefore safety. 

• The bore is ageing (drilled in 1998) and would need to be replaced to keep up with demand. The bore had a 30-year life so a redrill is required in 2028. 

• A detailed seismic assessment found the buildings (including changing rooms, reception, staff room and toilets) are at 24% NBS and are therefore classified as earthquake prone. This suggested that structural strengthening would be required to meet modern safety expectations, although we note that a planned change to government legislation is likely to negate the need for structural works for a building of this nature. 

• An asbestos survey has confirmed the presence of asbestos-containing materials typical of a facility of this age. However, the assessment was non-intrusive and did not identify asbestos in concealed areas. A further intrusive survey would be required before demolition to ensure all asbestos is safely managed and removed. 

• The facility has experienced frequent operational disruptions, including delayed seasonal openings, and this has worsened each year as the team has struggled to prepare the pool for each summer season. In 2024 this was due to the aging bore blocking over time and in 2025 due to severe water loss issues.