Alice Springs Aquatic & Leisure Centres shuts outdoor pool and leisure pool due to ‘technical issue’

The town’s pool has shut due to a ‘technical issue’, with its reopening pushed back after a water sample being couriered to Darwin for testing was mysteriously delayed.

ALICE Springs’ only 50m public pool has been shut yet again after a water sample being couriered to Darwin for testing was mysteriously delayed.

The closure at the Alice Springs Aquatic and Leisure Centre also affects the indoor leisure pool but the 25m indoor pool remains open for use.

The aquatic centre advised the pools shut on Saturday, October 30 due a “technical issue”.

Speaking to the NT News, a spokesman for the Alice Springs Town Council said it was hoped the pools would have opened again by now, but due to delays they could remain shut until around Wednesday, November 10.

The Alice Springs Aquatic & Leisure Centre’s outdoor 50m pool and leisure pool have been shut. Picture: CHRISTINE ANSORGE

“A technical issue from last week affected the water quality, and staff identified that the water must be tested before the pools reopen,” the spokesman said.

“The lab that is contracted to test the water sends the samples to Darwin for testing.

“The samples need to be tested within a 24-hour time period otherwise it’s considered contaminated and the results aren’t accurate. The lab experienced a delay with their courier, so the samples were delivered late, and essentially that whole process was null and void and we had to go through it again.”

The aquatic centre pools have faced numerous closures in previous months over issues with staffing and heating equipment.

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