Tiling issues cause closure of Town of Cambridge's Bold Park Aquatic Centre
Multiple issues at the Bold Park Aquatic Centre in Perth’s western suburbs, including cracked tiles and disintegrating balance tanks, will force the facility’s imminent closure for several weeks during mid-winter.
Confirmed at a Town of Cambridge committee meeting on 16th May, Bold Park Aquatic Centre will close in July to deal with what the Council staff deem a medium level threat to swimmers and staff.
As reported by PerthNow, in order to fund the repairs, the Council is looking at having to spend almost $150,000 in unbudgeted funds.
In the seven years since the Centre underwent a $12.25 million redevelopment in 2015, tiles on the bulkheads of the 50 metre pool have cracked, which a council report said could be because an incorrect adhesive was used.
Removing the tiles and replacing them with a more suitable adhesive has been estimated to cost $115,000, $48,000 more than what was allocated in the current Council budget.
Commenting on the unanticipated maintenance, Town of Cambridge Chief Executive, Karl Heiden stated “the issue with respect to the replacement of the bulkhead tiles for the 50m pool is still currently under investigation
“Once the budget and works have been approved, the normal procurement process will be undertaken.”
As well as the cracked tiles, protective lining of the balance tanks and gutter channels to both pools at the centre were found to be disintegrating during a recent maintenance service.
If left unrepaired, the lining could continue to pass into the filtration system of both pools.
Heiden confirmed that the lining of the tanks had a life expectancy of five to seven years, however, it was the recent service that led to the discovery of the degradation.
The Centre will close for at least four weeks in July, with exact dates yet to be confirmed.
The need for repairs will be discussed at the Town of Cambridge’s full council meeting on 24th May.
Image: Bold Park Aquatic Centre. Credit: Commercial Aquatics Australia.
Related Articles
Published since 1997 - Australasian Leisure Management Magazine is your go-to resource for sports, recreation, and tourism. Enjoy exclusive insights, expert analysis, and the latest trends.
Mailed to you six times a year, for an annual subscription from just $99.
Get business and operations news for $12 a month - plus headlines emailed twice a week. Covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism, and venues.