Macksville’s aquatic centre could be closed for months following major flooding

The floodwaters have receded, but the list of facilities needing repairs is getting longer. On it you’ll find Macksville Memorial Aquatic & Fitness Centre, which sustained significant damage in the floods last month and is currently closed for repairs. For how long is unclear.

Nambucca Valley Mayor, Gary Lee, told the Mid North Coaster the council wants the centre reopened as soon as possible, but only when it’s safe.

Lee said he won’t know how much of the damage will be covered by insurance until assessments are complete.

The damage

The indoor pool was inundated by flood water and will need to be cleaned and treated for contamination.

The pool pumps have been out of order since the power went out during the flood and so the outdoor pool has been unfiltered since, currently making it unsuitable for use.

“We lost the heated pool, we lost the administration area … and [the floodwater] inundated the exercise room area that has all electrical equipment plugged into the wall at 300mm [above the floor], and the water went more than 300,” Lee said.

“Now we’re in the mop-up stage, the catch up stage.”

The repairs

Council’s insurer conducted a site assessment on Tuesday and electrical safety works are anticipated for the coming week.

A contractor has been engaged and power is expected to be restored to the site by the end of this week. A mechanical damage report and structural/building report will follow.

Delays expected

Council anticipates delays in accessing supplies and labour for the repairs and anticipates a closure of up to three months. The intention is to re-open parts of the centre in stages.

“I can’t give you a price, I can’t give you a timeline,” Lee said. “All I can say is we’ve had to close it for public safety and that’s on the recommendation from our insurers and our health department.”

Council didn’t start the flood

There has been community unrest about long-term disruptions to training programs. Lee acknowledged “the whole community is suffering because of this flood, but it’s not the council’s fault, we didn’t start the flood”.

Disruptions to membership

Anyone with a pool or gym membership with queries about reimbursement for lost time can contact Community Aquatics on 02 6568 1445 or email: [email protected]

In the meantime, ​​Community Aquatics has created an online Zoom Yoga and Pilates Class for pool members.

Thumbnail: Nambucca Valley Council website.