Crews are pulling out all the stops to complete major public pool upgrades in Cooma and Bombala. Contractors have reached multiple major project milestones in recent weeks at both facilities.
Council has faced significant challenges with both Cooma and Bombala pools due to a number of latent conditions experienced during construction. This has given the contractor the entitlement to complete the project by March 2026.
However, given the importance of the pool to the community, the project team are determined and are tracking for a December 2025 completion to the critical elements of the pool to allow them to open to the public, with further operational side works to be conducted in early 2026.
Council is working towards reopening both pools in late December 2025, but the project still has critical plant and equipment risks.
The new filtration system required to complete and reopen Bombala and Cooma pools has been held up in Australian customs. No timeframe for the completion of inspections or final delivery has been provided.
If the filtration system is delivered by Monday 1 December 2025, both pools are targeting completion before the end of the year. If delivery isn't possible by 1 December, or significant rain delays that impact construction are experienced, the reopening dates for each pool will be delayed into 2026.
Cooma Pool
Major milestones
- All demolition works completed
- Old pool shell removed
- Civil work latent conditions corrected
- Major structural pool defects identified and corrected
- New concrete pool shell complete
- New balance tank installed, tested, and approved
- Installation of infinity edge draining system complete
- Pool tiling is set to commence
- Plant room commenced
- Hydraulics ongoing
- Pool concourse in progress
Next steps
Filling the pool: This may sound simple, but the whole process takes two weeks from start to end. The first test fill is underway now, slowly adding water to make sure the pool structure is sound and there are no leaks. Once this is done, the pool is drained, painted, and then filled again for the final time.
New baby pool: Tiling is set to commence, with the new baby pool to be fully completed within the next two weeks.
Planned reopening date: Friday 26 December 2025.
Contingency planning: Non-critical works will be deferred to January 2026 to meet the pool completion deadline.
If new pumping equipment is not delivered by Monday 1 December 2025 the project will continue at speed, however full completion will not be achieved until the filtration system is delivered.
Bombala Pool
Major milestones
- All demolition works completed
- Old pool shell removed
- New concrete pool shell is complete
- New balance tank installed
- Plant room block work complete, roof construction commences Monday (24 November)
- Hydraulics ongoing, to be completed by the end of next week (28 November)
Next steps
Balance tank testing: Installation of the new balance tank, equipment that maintains the pool's water level, is complete. Pressure and leak testing is scheduled for next week.
Filling the pool: Filling the pool will follow the same process as Cooma pool. This takes two weeks from start to end.
Planned reopening date: Saturday 20 December 2025.
Contingency planning: Non-critical works will be deferred to January 2026 to meet the reopening deadline.
If the new pumping equipment is not delivered by Monday 1 December 2025 the project will continue at speed, however full completion will not be achieved until the filtration system is delivered.
The project team on-site is pushing hard to get these pools open. Council understands this is a frustrating situation.
Our project team and all the workers on site are putting in a truly incredible effort to get these major upgrades finished before the end of the year for the community.
We remain hopeful that customs clearance will be granted with enough time to get the pumps installed and the pools open before the end of the year.
Council will share any updates regarding the customs delay as soon as they come to hand.
We thank the Bombala and Cooma communities for their continued patience.
