The story:

During a Knox council meeting on Monday December 16, local Jack Reuben highlighted his disappointment with the state of Knox Leisureworks’ 25-metre outdoor pool, which has been left in disrepair for the past four years.

During public question time, he described the facilities as full of blue-green algae, as well as waste from ducks who swim in the water currently in the pool.

The local view:

“There's blue green algae in the water,” said Jack Reuben during the meeting.

“The ducks swim in it, they urinate in that pool and they defecate in that pool.”

Mr Reuben questioned whether council would consider renovating the pool, covering it and installing solar panels for heating.

He suggested that while the initial upfront cost would be high, it would likely pay for itself within the first five years of its reopening.

“It seems silly to have a hole in the ground and not do anything with it,” Mr Reuben said.

The facts:

Knox Council Director of Connected Communities Judy Chalkley responded to the question, highlighting that an independent audit of the facilities detailed the pool was deemed to be “non-operational due to significant structural issues.”

She added that the council has engaged a specialist leisure contractor to provide recommendations regarding the planning process and potential future works, with recommendations set to be presented to councillors in the coming year.

The pool was last operational in early 2020.

Yarra Ranges Council decided to permanently close the Kilsyth Centenary Pool last year, with the council keeping the land as a recreational space.

Nearby outdoor pool facilities include the Croydon Memorial Pool, the Aquarena Aquatic and Leisure Centre in Templestowe Lower and Aqualink Box Hill.

However, with rising heatwaves and as the average temperature in summer starts to rise, the need for outdoor pool facilities is continuing to grow.

Photo Credit: Eastern Melburnian