Mildura Rural City Council is about to start urgent repairs and upgrades to the 82-year-old Red Cliffs Swimming Pool to address major structural issues which could threaten the pool's operation.
Inspection of the Red Cliffs facility, the oldest of Council's eight swimming pools and in need of most attention, revealed the pool shell was in poor condition and at the end of its life, leading to excess water usage and structural problems.
The following works will take place from next month to rectify these issues, ensuring the pool is ready in time for the start of the 2021/2022 swimming pool season and there are no disruptions:
- Renewal of all pool decks
- Renewal and upgrade of the hydraulic system for the main pool and toddlers pool
- Structural and access upgrades to the main pool and toddlers pool
- Reinstatement of both pool shells.
Once completed, the upgrades will reduce maintenance costs to the pool shell by 60 per cent, and water usage by 30 per cent.
They will also ensure the pool is able to service the community into the future.
Preparations for the works will start from early next month, meaning the pool will close one month early this season on 28 February. The works are expected to be completed before the 2021/2022 swimming pool season.
Mildura Mayor Jason Modica said the project would preserve the historic pool while ensuring it continued to be a popular venue for Red Cliffs residents during summer.
"Living in such a hot climate residents rightly value our public swimming pools for the relief they provide and as popular venues for socialising and just spending time outdoors," Cr Modica said.
"The Red Cliffs pool has a long history of providing this relief and enjoyment for local residents, but there eventually comes a point with a facility of this age, where a major suite of works are needed to ensure it can continue operating for decades to come with minimal disruption for maintenance."
HISTORY
While many of us simply know it as the Red Cliffs Swimming Pool, the historic venue's official name is much grander – the King George V Memorial Baths.
The pool, or baths as they used to be known, were erected to commemorate King George V, who died in January 1936.
The decision to establish the baths was made at a public meeting in Red Cliffs in February 1936, and the venue completed two years later on 12 October 1938.
According to a story in The Herald a day after the public meeting, the baths were to be established "with the object of teaching young people to swim", and the cost was expected to be several thousand pounds.
