Wanneroo Aquamotion is due to close for three months so pools can be re-tiled.
Camera IconWanneroo Aquamotion is due to close for three months so pools can be re-tiled. Credit: Supplied/Martin Kennealey

Wanneroo Aquamotion pool closure to affect 11,500 visitors and 600 swim school students

Lucy JarvisWanneroo Times

A SHUTDOWN to repair pools at Wanneroo Aquamotion will affect about 600 weekly swim school students and 11,500 centre visitors.

The City of Wanneroo plans to close the pools for up to four months from September 3 to retile them at a cost of $1.45 million.

MORE: Wanneroo Aquamotion pools to close in lead up to summer

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Community and place director Debbie Terelinck said the shutdown would affect about 270 weekly classes, or 600 swim school students.

“In addition, there will be 11,500 less aquatic visits based on 2017 figures during the same period,” she said.

“Areas affected by the shutdown will be the lap pool, leisure pool, outdoor pool, sauna, spa and splash pad.

“Loss of income will be approximately $190,500 across aquatics and health or fitness.”

A statement from the City said it would offer Aquamotion customers alternative membership options, depending on their existing membership packages and personal circumstances.

Mrs Terelinck said the creche, gymnasium, land-based group fitness and hydrotherapy pool sessions would continue to operate as normal.

She said permanent and part-time staff would continue to receive pay as a condition of their employment status, but the shutdown would affect casual staff members.

“Where possible, other casual work and/or training opportunities will be considered,” she said.

Mrs Terelinck said the issue of tiles coming loose from the pool base may have resulted from methods of tiling and standards when the tiles were installed in 2007-08.

“This issue has, unfortunately, been quite common recently both state-wide and nationally,” she said.

“All works were carried out to specifications which complied with standards at the time.

“The City will consider the issue of liability in due course; the priority being to complete the re-tiling project.”

The director said the City had engaged a specialist aquatic consultant to ensure the future works complied with current standards.

She said the City would soon undertake a needs and feasibility assessment about developing an aquatic facility in the northern coastal corridor.

The pools are expected to close from September 3 to December 30.

The council is due to consider delegating authority to the chief executive to award a contract at its July 21 meeting.

For more information, visit wanneroo.wa.gov.au/wannerooaquamotion or call 9405 5999.