Olympic Pool to Get Permanent Fix

In late 2017, Council commenced proceedings in the Supreme Court of NSW as a result of the construction of the 50m Olympic Pool at the Moree Artesian Aquatic Centre (MAAC). Those proceedings were ultimately settled shortly before trial. Council is now able to commence works to replace the Olympic Pool.

Council’s General Manager Lester Rodgers explained that when the redevelopment of the Moree pools was originally conceived, a world-class Olympic FINA standard competition pool was an important part of the redevelopment.

Mr Rodgers said “Since completion of the redevelopment, a range of issues associated with the Olympic Pool have impacted the way local community members, visitors from the surrounding region and tourists alike could use the Olympic Pool.

“With Council being the owner of the MAAC facility, the past few years have been very challenging. Due to issues associated with the Olympic Pool, we have had to restrict patron access to the far side of the pool, on the southern side and this has affected its usage.

With the MAAC currently closed due to the NSW Government’s COVID-19 Public Health Order, it is an opportune time for decommissioning works in relation to the Olympic Pool to commence.

“Now is the time to get on with decommissioning the Olympic Pool,” said Mr Rodgers.

“We are commencing the procurement process in relation to the new design for the pool and hope to be in a position to commence construction of the new Olympic Pool sooner rather than later. The construction time for the new Olympic Pool will depend on this design so at the present time, Council is unable to confirm when the new Olympic Pool will be completed, however, I can confirm that the Olympic Pool will not be in operation for the 2020/2021 swim season.”

Mayor Katrina Humphries was delighted with the outcome and pleased that Council is now in a position to move forward with works for the new Olympic Pool.

“Of course we are disappointed that we need to close this part of the MAAC for a period of time but we are looking forward to the long-term benefits its reconstruction will create.

“It means that in time, the MAAC will be able to offer a world-class, Olympic FINA standard competition pool that can be used by the local community, the surrounding region and visiting tourists.

Once the COVID-19 closure restrictions are lifted in relation to pool operations, the remaining operations of the MAAC will be reopened including the program pool, artesian pools, waterslide, children’s hydroplay area, Moree Artesian Wellness Centre and gym. It is hoped that these parts of the facility will all remain open while reconstruction works for the Olympic Pool take place.

Mayor Humphries confirmed “During the construction period, our top priority is to ensure that locals and visitors can continue to use the other facilities at the MAAC to their full extent.

“We understand that this closure will inconvenience our regular pool users and sincerely apologise for this unavoidable disruption. Once the MAAC is permitted to open its doors, we will work with local user groups of the Olympic Pool to help identify alterative arrangements during the reconstruction period, but it is anticipated that the impact on Moree tourism will be minimal,” she said.

Decommissioning works for the current Olympic Pool commenced this week at the MAAC.