Page 4628 - Week 13 - Wednesday, 27 November 2019
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MS CODY: Minister, what upgrades is the ACT government delivering for pools on the south side?
MS BERRY: The ACT government is committed to building and renewing facilities and infrastructure on the south side of Canberra. Part of this commitment is upgrading local public pools so that everyone has a great place to swim, especially as the weather warms up. We have made a big investment into Manuka Pool as a special and unique place that the south side community has enjoyed since its opening on 26 January 1931. This pool combines beautiful art deco architecture with relaxing and enjoyable water activities.
The historic and iconic Manuka Pool has received extensive works on the filtration plant of the main pool to make sure that it meets modern health standards, maintains and protects its unique and original heritage design elements and provides a great place for the community to swim and enjoy the great outdoors. These works totalled $2.42 million funded across the 2018 and 2019 budgets.
Re-tiling Manuka Pool has involved an extensive worldwide search to find tiles in keeping with the style of the facility while also meeting modern slip resistance standards. These tiles have been imported all the way from the Czech Republic.
The upgrades, which are now complete, were undertaken while the pool was closed after the summer swim season. I am happy to report that Manuka Pool will reopen on Saturday, 30 November with free entry as well as activities for the whole family.
MRS JONES: Minister, will the new swimming pool at Molonglo be open for this summer? Also, will it include female-only toilets and change rooms?
MS BERRY: No, the pool will not be ready for this summer. It is expected to open in the middle of next year. But as far as female friendly—what, so you want—
Mrs Jones: Female only.
MS BERRY: single sex?
Mrs Jones: Yes.
MS BERRY: Single sex; look, I will take some advice on that and just check whether they are gender neutral and accessible for everybody or whether they are single sex. Importantly, the Mount Stromlo leisure centre will be a really great local facility for the whole of the community to enjoy. As I said, it will be ready for use in the first half of 2020, which I know we are all excited about, particularly Ms Cody as it is in her electorate.
This was a $39.49 million project to deliver a new facility. It includes a 50-metre pool, a warm water program, a learn to swim pool, a leisure pool, a toddlers pool, a splash park and a gym-health club, as well as seating capacity for up to 500 people.
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