Council is sharing the progress report on the Bombala and Cooma pool upgrade projects tabled at the May Ordinary Council Meeting with our community, detailing what's been done, what we're working on right now, and what's coming up next as work gets back underway at both facilities.
May 2026 Progress Report: Bombala and Cooma public pool upgrades
What we've been doing this past month
- Held site inspections with trade contractors
- Sought contractor quotations to relevant trade packages
- Assessed contractor quotes received
- Engaged concreting contractor
- Completed the construction management plan
- Completed the WHS site plan
- Completed the construction stakeholder communications plan
- Started work on the general project communications plan
- Installed site signage
- Completed site material audit
- Consulted with Essential Energy on relocation of power pole anchor wire
- Engaged consultants to progress power pole anchor wire relocation approval
- Commenced concreting works at Cooma Pool
What we'll be doing in the month ahead
- Securing approval for power pole anchor wire relocation at Cooma Pool
- Continuing contractor quote evaluations
- Continuing site clean-up at both pools
- Remaining trades and supplier contracts to be finalised
- Commence plumbing and electrical works at both pools
- Continuing with Cooma Pool concreting works
Reopening targets and potential delays
Council's target of reopening Bombala and Cooma pools by the start of the 2026/2027 swimming season in November 2026 is at risk.
The removal of the former primary project contractor and the company subsequently entering voluntary administration has left Council to complete the works and secure a new specialist pool plant and filtration equipment contractor at short notice.
Council is currently contacting relevant specialist contractors to seek quotes and availability to complete plant room and filtration equipment works at both sites. Due to the specialist nature of this work, contractor availability will be a significant factor in determining whether the November 2026 reopening date target can be met.
If Council can't recover the plant and other equipment purchased by the former primary project contractor, further time will be required to organise the purchase and delivery of new equipment to both sites.
Deadline extension and Bombala pool edge design changes
Council has been granted a extension of the deadline to complete all upgrade works at Bombala Pool by the NSW Government's Stronger Country Communities Fund, due to the former prime contractor's removal from the project and the company subsequently entering voluntary administration earlier this month.
As the source of the majority of project funding, Council is required to seek approval from the Fund for any changes to project designs and timelines.
Representatives from the Fund have advised Council that the current pool edge design complies with all relevant requirements and that no further extensions will be granted to allow the edge to be redesigned.
Council has sought input from a specialist pool designer to confirm whether the pool edge design changes requested by councillors and the community could be completed by the extended completion deadline.
Partial test filling at Bombala Pool
Bombala Pool will soon be partially filled to confirm the new pool shell is properly sealed, also protecting the pool against potential groundwater pressure damage due to cold temperatures over the coming winter.
Visit https://qrco.de/SMRCprojects for the latest project updates.
