Glenorchy Pool drainage sparks anger, petition from former Alderman Kelly Sims

A decision to drain the Glenorchy Pool and it’s “stagnating” water to “protect the environment and public safety” has sparked anger from residents. Why the call to drain it was made.

Glenorchy Pool. Picture: Chris Kidd

A decision to drain the Glenorchy Pool to “protect the environment and public safety” has angered some residents.

Mayor Bec Thomas said while she understood many people had a “strong connection” to the pool there were “multiple public safety risks” associated with the 60-year-old pool, and it was it was not feasible to re-open it this year.

“The remaining water is being drained primarily because it is stagnating as well as attracting wildlife, which further pollutes the water,” she said.

“Draining the pool also removes the risk it may pose to anyone entering the facility, given it is currently not staffed.

“It is not in the best interests of ratepayers for council to spend money on repairs that will only provide a short-term fix as well as fail to address issues with compliance and standards.”

However, former alderman Kelly Sims said many in the community were angry that the pool was being drained.

Glenorchy Pool community advocate Kelly Sims. Picture: Chris Kidd

“It was a huge shock to the community to see the pool drained today,” she said.

“It sends a message that the council simply do not value or respect us.

“There is no evidence of the pool leaking.”

Ms Sims said she understood draining a pool was needed for regular maintenance but it posed risks.

“The risks that come with doing this are structural damage as it stresses the structure especially if an in-ground pool. The surrounding ground water can cause collapse during drainage.

“Depending on the chemicals, discharging it into our storm drains and waterways is likely to have serious environmental impacts,” she said.

Ms Sims has begun a petition to the House of Assembly, which went online on Friday, asking the government to provide a time-line for a new pool.

“The Glenorchy Memorial Pool is a significant historical icon established in remembrance of our soldiers and holds great value to Tasmanians,” the petition says.

Glenorchy Pool. Picture: Chris Kidd

“The loss of another valuable multipurpose, health promoting facility that leads to a huge breadth of opportunity across many spectrums, is detrimental to many in our community,” Ms Sims said.

The government announced this month that it had allocated $200,000 for the council to investigate the possibility of a pool recreation precinct.

The funds will allow the council to engage a specialist to assess the options.

Labor member for Clark Ella Haddad said the pool was an important part of Glenorchy’s infrastructure and it was “heartbreaking” it had closed.

“It’s so important that we can all work together for a solution and I’ve been happy to host a number of the petitions in the community which are available to sign in hard copy as well as online,” she said.

The council decided to close the pool because it had a number of structural issues.

Originally published as Glenorchy Pool drainage sparks anger, petition from former Alderman Kelly Sims