WHILE the Manning Aquatic Centre has been closed to the public, there has been a lot of work going on inside the community facility.
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Council was informed in February that a series of preventative works were planned to be carried out to ensure the pools at the Manning Aquatic Centre don't sustain major structural damage in future.
The works were to follow on from some unscheduled repairs on the outdoor pool last year, which become necessary after several tiles began to dislodge from the pool walls during preparations for the 2019-20 summer season.
The $40,000 maintenance project includes the replacement of water proofing seals, crack control material and other minor structural works.
Manning Aquatic Centre was forced to close in March due to the COVID-19 restrictions, but the work on the pools has been able to continue.
Council's manager - recreation, Mark Kimbel, that the work was progressing in line with the anticipated timeframes for the project.
"At this stage both pools have been drained, with water being stored in ballast tanks for reuse when the pools require refilling," he said in April.
"All expansion joints have been cleaned out and resealed and tiling works have been completed around the whirlpool area.
"Council's contractor has also completed concrete render works to the water return gutters and are currently in the process of replacing pool tiles in certain areas."
Workers have been adhering to social distancing while carrying out work at the aquatic centre.
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The work was expected to be concluded at the end of April and already council is looking at the potential to do more works, to take advantage of the centre's closure.
"Whilst the centre is currently closed, council is investigating options to also undertake preventative maintenance works the 25-metre pool during this period, subject to funding availability," Mr Kimbel said.
"It is believed this is an opportune time to have such works undertaken during the forced closure of the centre to avoid having the close the 25-metre pool next financial year when the centre is back in full operation."
It has unknown when the Manning Aquatic Centre will reopen, but the state and federal governments are starting to relax some COVID-19 restrictions.
