Bega Valley Shire Mayor Bill Taylor has assured the residents of Bemboka the town’s pool will reopen this October.
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A chemical leak closed the pool on January 20 and a subsequent inspection found serious faults that forced Bega Valley Shire Council to lock the gates for the rest of the season (BDN 4/2).
Cr Taylor said staff at Bega Valley Shire Council “are doing all we can to have the Bemboka pool open to the public as soon as possible”.
“At this stage we are engaging contractors to determine the scale of works needed, which is why we have decided to focus on reopening the pool in October 2014.
“The pool has been temporarily closed for one reason only: and that is to conduct repairs relating to the recent chlorine leak.
“No other council resolution has been made regarding the long-term future of Bemboka pool other than a review of all the shire’s pools due in 2016.
“Council provided annual funds for the maintenance of Bemboka pool when it was managed by an external operator, and we will continue this funding commitment with council directly managing the pool.
“Repairs are, however, an unavoidable occurrence, and this is the situation we are currently facing and dealing with.
“The community are reassured of our commitment to absorb all costs associated with the transport of local school children to Candelo pool for swim classes and events.
“In addition, we are offering free entrance to Candelo and Bega pools for Bemboka season ticket holders, or a refund of fees covering the rest of the season if they prefer.
“Every local season ticket holder has been contacted and offered the choice of free entry to Bega or Candelo or a refund, and at this stage no refunds have been requested.
“We are blessed with a lot of pools in local communities as well as some beautiful and sheltered waters for swimming in the great outdoors.
“If parents are concerned about the wellbeing of children swimming in local waterways we recommend they use one of our swimming pools in Candelo, Bega, Cobargo, Pambula, Eden or Bermagui.
“We understand this is a concern for the Bemboka community, which is why we are taking a serious approach to getting their local pool up to standard for the following swimming season,” Cr Taylor said.