2 June 2020

Government pools ease their way back into the swim

| Ian Bushnell
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Canberra Olympic Pool

Canberra Olympic Pool in the city will reopen from Monday, 15 June.Photo: File.

Swimmers will again be able to take the plunge at two government-owned pools this month under the Phase 2 easing of COVID-19 restrictions.

Erindale Active Leisure Centre will reopen on Thursday, 4 June, while Canberra Olympic Pool in the city will reopen from Monday, 15 June.

Phase 2 allows up to 20 people per venue and no more than two swimmers per lane. Where there are multiple pools within the same enclosed space, the limit of 20 people applies to the venue.

Other government pools at Gungahlin Leisure Centre and Tuggeranong Lakeside Leisure Centre remained closed due to maintenance and upgrades, while the outdoor venues at Dickson and Manuka are shut for the winter and won’t reopen until October.

A reopening date is yet to be confirmed for Gungahlin, but the work at Tuggeranong is due to be completed in late July.

Tuggeranong’s routine five-yearly maintenance has been brought forward under the ACT Government’s $25 million COVID-19 fast-track program, and includes draining the pools for work on the pool structures, major upgrades to electrical infrastructure and pool plant as well as reconfiguration of the entry foyer.

Swim schools at government pools remain closed until restrictions are eased further but swim squad training at Canberra Olympic Pool will resume from 15 June, and swim clubs will be able to hire lane space.

Private pools may open for up to 20 people per venue with a maximum of two people per swimming lane, where four square metres per person can be observed.

One parent or carer can be present per child with physical distancing observed.

Construction of the new $36 million Stromlo Leisure Centre at Stromlo Forest Park is on track to be completed next month.

YMCA NSW earlier this year won the right to manage the new $36 million Stromlo Leisure Centre, bringing to four the number of aquatic centres it operates in the ACT.

It has been contracted until 30 June 2022 in a deal worth $614,000.

Set on a hill with commanding views of Molonglo and the National Arboretum, Stromlo Leisure Centre will service the Weston Creek, Woden and Molonglo communities, and will include an eight-lane 50-metre competition pool capable of being split into two 25-metre short-course swimming pools, a learn-to-swim pool, a leisure pool, and a splash pad and slide.

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