Safety fears hit Collingwood pool roof

The indoor pool at the City of Yarra's Collingwood Leisure Centre will be off limits for two years as a result of an unsafe roof structure forcing its closure.

Yarra Council has announced that the ageing centre in the Melbourne suburb of Clifton Hill had failed safety assessments and, along with its associated creche, will remain shut at least until the end of next year.

The faulty roof was already scheduled to be replaced as part of a $6.3 million redevelopment to begin in July.

Safety concerns at the centre first came to light last August when a local newspaper published an email detailing council engineersâ fears the roof could collapse on swimmers.

Council acting Chief Executive Tom Evans confirmed new engineering advice had prompted the latest closure as a "precautionary measure", adding "we have acted quickly to minimise any disruptions to our members and users."

Evans went on to say it is business as usual at the centre's gymnasium and group fitness areas.

The Council is now writing to centre members to let them know about the closure and alternative venues nearby.

Services at the Fitzroy Swimming Pool creche have gone from two days a week to five to cope with extra demand. Extra aqua-aerobics classes have also been added to Richmond Recreation Centre's schedule.

Full and aquatic members at the Collingwood Leisure Centre are now able to use the Council's Richmond or Fitzroy facilities without charge.