Repairs set to get underway on outdoor pool at Tweed Regional Aquatic Centre’s Murwillumbah complex

Tweed Shire Council has advised that work will soon get underway to repair the damaged 50 metre outdoor swimming pool at its Tweed Regional Aquatic Centre (TRAC) Murwillumbah complex, with the aim of ensuring it is ready for the busy summer season.

The pool remains brown and murky following the massive downpour of 28th February 2022, which saw incredible volumes of storm water pour down Murwillumbah's Hospital Hill and into the pool. Fortunately, the pool was not inundated with flood waters from the Tweed River during the deluge.

Advising that the Council had been following the advice of its insurer on the best way to repair the facility, Tweed Shire Council Manager Parks and Active Communities, Murray Smith stated "we are following the processes set out by our insurer on how best to maintain the structural integrity of the pool until it is drained.

“We were advised not to drain the pool and leave it empty for some time as this could result in the walls collapsing or popping out due to pressure from surrounding soils both beside and beneath the pool structure.”

Specialist engineers have recently completed a geotechnical investigation into the pool and recommended further testing by ground penetrating lasers to analyse the surrounding grounds. Final results from the ground analysis will be used to inform Council’s long-term plans for the pool.

Smith added "as soon as the laser testing is done, we will appoint contractors to drain the pool and conduct any repairs required.

“We remain hopeful the pool will be fixed and ready to go ahead of the busy summer swim season later this year.”

Similar processes were carried out after the 2017 flood but it did not require major repairs then. The total cost of repairs to the pool following the most recent flood is not yet confirmed.

The 50 metre pool and the outdoor ‘Slide ‘n Dive’ are usually closed during winter months. All of the centre’s indoor facilities and programs remain open - including the 25 metre pool, the hydrotherapy pool, swimming lessons and other programs.

TRAC Murwillumbah last underwent a major upgrade from 2007-2009 at a cost of more than $13 million to Council. Council took the opportunity to resurface the indoor pool at Murwillumbah during the COVID-19 closures.

Images: TRAC Murwillumbah in summer (top) and an overhead view of the TRAC Murwillumbah pool in the days after the flood of February-March 2022 (below). Credit: Tweed Shire Council.