Glenorchy City Council will build business case for memorial pool as it seeks funding to save it

The Glenorchy City Council will look at preparing a business case for the much loved memorial pool as it struggles to secure funding to save it.

Glenorchy War Memorial Pool. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

The Glenorchy mayor says the council is leaving no stone unturned to restore the Glenorchy Memorial Pool as it prepares to build a business case as it seeks funding for the facility.

The 60-year-old Glenorchy Memorial Pool was closed because it had a number of problems, including a leak in the pool shell and structural issues.

The council has estimated it would cost $30m –$40m to replace the pool, depending on the size of the facility.

It’s now investigating what options it has, but the pool will remain closed.

After a vote on Monday, the Glenorchy Council will prepare a business case for the pool as it continues to seek funding, as well as look at other options.

Photo of the Glenorchy pool taken in July. Image: Kelvin Ball.

“As a lifelong user of the pool, I understand the connection to the facility, held by many people in our community and I in fact share it and I’m proud of the romantic or sentimental connection that I in fact hold to the pool,” Glenorchy mayor Bec Thomas said during Monday’s meeting.

“If I was making a decision with my heart, I would be suggesting the next step be to get to work exclusively on a business case for replacing the pool, that we ought not even consider other options for the site at this time.

“Ultimately it’s a 60-year-old community pool and sentiment alone won’t get a facility fixed or replaced … Sentiment alone isn’t enough to convince other levels of government it’s worth investing in, it’s going to take money and lots of it.”

Glenorchy Mayor Bec Thomas. Picture: Chris Kidd

It’s been revealed the council’s bid to secure funding began early last year, before the council had discovered the current safety risks.

The council wrote to state and federal government representatives in February last year, but was not successful.

“In 2022, prior to the federal election, the council included the pool on investment prospectus’ presented to the major parties for funding considerations, this was not successful,” Ms Thomas said.

“In 2023 the council submitted a $26m budget bid to the federal government … this was not successful.

“Local government simply needs a fairer share of federal taxation revenue, if it is to adequately service community assets.”

Deputy mayor Sue Hickey said a decision could not be made until the council had realistic figures.

“We really need to be sensible and aware and all calm down because this is going to take a while to work out,” Ms Hickey said.

“That pool probably won’t be open for the next couple of years.”