In November 1963, the Glenorchy War Memorial Pool opens.
MARCH 2023 The Glenorchy Pool is fully operational and closes as per usual, at the end of its summer season.
Glenorchy City Council (GCC) hires Michael McCosker of Knowledge Asset Management. They in turn contract Lacus Engineering in Melbourne to undertake a ‘non-invasive site inspection’ of the Glenorchy Pool. Lacus write a report about the pool’s condition.
APRIL 18th 2023 A consultant attends the pool site taking a full day to assess it.
Lacus Engineering charge the GCC $22,500.00 for the inspection.
MAY 17th 2023 The Lacus report is written and prepared.
JULY 4th 2023 After reading the report, the General Manager closes the pool indefinitely, citing safety issues outlined in the report. GCC issue a media release.
JULY 7th 2023 Consultants prepare a workshop to the Council Executive Leadership Team and elected members. A workshop is conducted for aldermen via Zoom. (The GCC are charged $8,800.00 for presentation).
JULY 31st 2023 In the GCC meeting agenda, a Council officer presents options for the pool’s future, recommending option 4 and 5 from the workshop: (4) replace with a new facility or (5) permanently close the facility. Council officers and General Manager additionally recommend to council, to initiate a project to seek to redevelop the site or seek alternate options via a consultant to do a cost benefit analysis of options 4 and 5, which does not include repair.
AUGUST 2023 Glenorchy Pool Action Group (GPAG) forms and holds first meeting at Glenorchy Library to stop closure and demolition.
AUGUST 17th 2023 GPAG applies to heritage list the pool with Heritage Tasmania.
AUGUST 28th 2023 In the GCC council meeting, it is decided to procure a consultant to undertake investigation into replacement of the Glenorchy Pool or other redevelopment options for the site. No aldermen object.
SEPTMBER 4th 2023 The Tasmanian State Government grants GCC $200,000 towards the cost of a feasibility study.
SEPTEMBER 16th 2023 Council drains pool inducing structural collapse of its shell despite the Lacus engineering report stating the shell is ‘in fair condition” (P 9 Lacus) and defends its actions by publicly stating pool repair will not be an option, so keeping the pool filled with water is irrelevant.
OCTOBER 7th 2023 GCC places advertisement in The Mercury newspaper, seeking a consultant to look at redevelopment of site and ‘alternate options’.
OCTOBER 17th 2023 Council has ‘Community Yarn’ at the Moonah Art Centre, to discuss the pool amongst other things. The public have 45 minutes to raise questions. No aldermen speak, only the mayor and Knowledge Asset Management employee. Council touts the meeting as being ‘a public meeting’.
NOVEMBER 7th 2023 Heritage application for Glenorchy Pool is rejected by Heritage Tasmania.
NOVEMBER 26th 2023 GPAG celebrates the Glenorchy War Memorial Pool’s 60th birthday with a party at KGV function rooms.
DECEMBER 18th 2023 Glenorchy City Council appoints MI Global Partners as tender winner. They will use the State Government’s $200,000 to investigate redevelopment options for the pool site and start public consultation. The consultation and report will be completed by mid 2024 and will not include repair as an option despite this costing under $3 million.
FEBRUARY 24th 2024 Tasmanian Labor Party pledge to budget $5M for the repair and reopening of Glenorchy Pool, should they be elected. Tasmanian Liberal Party immediately pledge $5M to repair and reopen the pool, should they be re-elected into to majority government.
FEBRUARY 26th 2024 Glenorchy City Council vote to begin planning repair of Glenorchy Pool whilst long term solutions are being sought. The motion is passed unanimously.
FEBRUARY 27th 2024 MI Global Partners commence community consultation pop-ups and meetings. Three pop-ups and a community meeting take place during February. An online survey is launched featuring both aquatic and non-aquatic options for the site to conclude by March 31st.
FEBRUARY 28th 2024 Glenorchy City Council confirm receipt of a petition for a public meeting signed by sufficient number of electors and announce public meeting to be held on Wednesday 27th March.
MARCH 27th 2024 A public meeting is held at KGV
APRIL 8th 2024 GCC announce announce that holes have been drilled into the pool shell in order to fit hyrdostatic release valves, which will prevent destruction to the empty pool shell caused by hydrostatic pressure. This measure is taken in anticipation of receipt of the $5M State funding for repair of the pool.
APRIL 23rd 2024 A petition signed by over 1,000 electors was submitted to the Council on Tuesday 23 April 2024 requesting this elector poll in accordance with section 60C of the Local Government Act 1993.
The elector poll includes the following two questions, which are provided on the separate ballot paper:
- Should the Council apply for future government funding, to retain the pool and redevelop it into a modern public pool facility that will serve the Glenorchy area for the longer term?
2. Do you support the Council, with committed government funding, urgently repairing and reopening the Glenorchy War Memorial Pool?
MAY 1st 2024 MI Global Partners release Insights Report for long term redevelopment or GWMP
MAY 19th 2024 Madeline Ogilvie, Liberal Member for Clark announces confirmation that $5M for the immediate repair and reopening of GWMP will be provided in the 2024-2025 Tasmanian State Govn. budget.
JUNE 22nd 2024 The result of the elector poll are released. Of 22 479 votes, 89.02% voted YES to question 1 and 93.03% voted YES to question 2.
AUGUST 26th 2024 GCC chose preferred option for the development of the business case, which will be used to pursue Federal and State Government funding. Click here to view Insights Report.
FEBRUARY 1st 2025 Glenorchy City Council has released two tender packages to engage contractors to undertake the works (one for the amenity building, and one for the pool works).