Toddler pool under repair

Repairs at Ararat Fitness Centre have started after extensive investigations into how best to address issues involving the centre’s toddler pool.

Ararat Rural City Council chief executive Tim Harrison said he was pleased to inform the community the pool would be repaired and reopened as soon as possible.

He said after an initial assessment, council engineers commissioned an external report to assess underlying infrastructure and this identified the problem and the repairs needed.

“The problem has been tough to solve and took a lot of expertise, and the repairs themselves will be quite tricky,” he said.

“We appreciate that it’s been a long and disruptive time for little ones and their parents wanting to use the pool, and we apologise for the delay.”

Dr Harrison said repairs to the structure were the only feasible option ‘at this stage’.

“These repairs are going to keep the toddler pool going for a few more years, but we know we have to have some really good conversations with the community to make sure the facility can service the region into the future,” he said.

Bendigo Aquatics will be in charge of the pool repairs and while there might be noise and dust, the council anticipates the work will not impact on indoor pool classes.

Repairs are scheduled to be complete within two weeks.

The council is planning for future infrastructure improvements at the centre so it can apply for government funding. It will run consultations in the second half of the year.