9 October 2015

Circular Head Mayor Daryl Quilliam said Council last night made the difficult decision to close the Circular Head War Memorial Swimming Pool indefinitely.

Mayor Quilliam said the pool was first constructed in 1962 as an open pool and has served the community well, but due to the ongoing deterioration of the facility it would be closed for safety reasons.

“As part of an ongoing discussion with the community, the Swimming Pool Reference Group and the Circular Head Recreation Advisory Committee, we initiated an additional study to look at the condition of the in-ground infrastructure of the pool,” Mayor Quilliam said.

“This latest study has revealed an urgent need to fix a number of issues with the pool roof, which Councillors have unanimously agreed was to significant to ignore, especially when considering the safety of pool users and staff.”

The most recent study revealed further decline in the pool’s infrastructure and Mayor Quilliam said it would be both impractical and prohibitively expensive to simply just remove the roof.

 “The Circular Head War Memorial Pool has played an important role in our community over the past 53 years, whether it be from the early years in learn to swim or right up to recreational use and for water-based exercise,” Mayor Quilliam said.

“We know there will be a lot of feelings about this decision, but hope the community understands why we have taken this decision and will now work with us to decide what to do in the future.”

Circular Head War Memorial Swimming Pool Manager Jo Morrison said staff had been briefed about the situation following last night’s decision.

“The Mayor and I have spoken with staff and thanked them for their commitment and time at the pool and provided them with details on why this decision has been made,” Ms Morrison said.

“I would like to also thank the users of the pool over the last couple of years. While we have experienced a few ups and downs, this facility has withstood an extended period of its life and now we can move on to the future needs of pool users in our community.”

Mayor Quilliam said Council would now work with not only members of the Swimming Pool Reference Group and the Circular Head Recreation Advisory Committee, but also the wider community on the next steps.

“Council will be undertaking a joint study with the Waratah-Wynyard Council to assess the Open Space, Sport and Recreation needs of both of our communities later this month, which will allow us to reassess what we will do about the pool into the future,” Mayor Quilliam said.

“Council has previously met with Federal Member for Braddon Brett Whiteley and spoken to him about the facility and it is essential that we as a community are united on the best option in order to attract any Federal Government assistance.”

Council had planned to do a survey on the future of a pool in the community following the findings of the study, but Mayor Quilliam said considering the urgency, this process would also put on hold.

 “I thank the Circular Head community for their patience and understanding,” Mayor Quilliam said.

Season pass holders will be refunded by coming to Council.

A copy of the latest report into the state of the facility can be viewed by contacting Council on 6452 4800.

The following fact sheet also may provide answers to your questions.

Circular Head War Memorial Swimming Pool Closure Fact Sheet October 2015(260 kb)