Pools Rejuvenation Project Sept 2024

** Updates 26-Sep Below **

Starting 18 September 2024

We’re pleased to announce that Willsmere’s pools are being refurbished! Most residents will agree that the pools are one of the best features of Willsmere.  Pools require a lot of upkeep and as ours is nearly 30 years old. We need to do some major work to update it and address safety issues. The planned refurbishment will not only enhance the pool’s facilities but also future-proof this key asset for our entire community. We’ve included here as many details about the upgrade timeline as we have, and we appreciate your patience during this time.

Why does it need to be refurbished?

Urgent safety issues have been identified as well as some lesser issues, including:

• Loose coping stones around the edges of the pools
• Concourse degrading and creating trip/slip hazards
• Lifting paint from the pool interiors
• Non-compliant paint racing lines
• Non-compliant staircase leading into the pool
• Loose handrails
• Poles that support the awning and solar panels are corroding at the base. Advice received from Structerre Consulting Engineers in Aug 2023 stated that:
“Retaining the columns any later than 2024 will bring significant risks due to the weakening of the connections to the foundations of the columns, which under peak wind conditions may result in failure of the structure.”

Fixing these safety issues whilst regenerating the pools is the most cost and time effective way forward, so that new work is not damaged by returning at a later stage, and multiple disruptions are avoided.

What work will be completed in this refurbishment?

1. New Pool Lining

   The current pool lining is a painted surface which has a limited life span. The new interior, ‘Aquaneon Naviti’, is used in commercial pool applications. The new interior colour has been chosen to be similar to the ‘blue water’ look we have now.

2. New Tiling

   The coping tiles around both pools are being replaced with ‘Ash Grey’ Granite tiles for durability and non-corrosive properties that match the surrounding bluestone-look retaining walls. It is a more contemporary look than the current yellow coloured concrete coping stones. The ‘pencil’ edging has a slight chamfer so that the edge is not sharp. The new ‘Sky Blue Ceramic’ waterline tiles are the closest match to the current tiles. The waterline tiles will be laid in relation to the water level, not the coping level, which will look smarter.
3. The pool skimmers on the awning side of the main pool were decommissioned a few years ago due to re-piping and will be tiled over. The skimmer boxes on the far side of the pool will be reconnected and put back into regular use. This will not affect the cleaning or circulation function of the pool.
4. Black lap lane tiles will be laid before the pool interior finish so they are flush/embedded in the new surface, and will look better than the current lanes. The end points will also be corrected.
   
   
   
   

5. New Concourse, Awning Poles and Electrical Cabling

   Currently pebbles from the concrete concourse are coming loose, making it uncomfortable to walk on and a potential tripping hazard. Unsightly rust from re-bars in the concourse is showing at the surface and will contribute to further corrosion of the concrete. A new concourse, ‘Melbourne’, is a grey cement base with black and white pebbles “Hamptons Mix Silver Ghost" complements the bluestone surroundings and retaining walls and the new coping tiles. It is less black and white than "Melbourne" with superior underfoot feel and durability. The old structural awning poles will be cut off below the surface of the concourse (note: the old poles cannot be removed / jack-hammered out without potentially damaging the structural integrity of the pool). This means the new awning poles will be set on pads on the new concourse. A small flange (a few centimetres in depth) will need to cover the pads so as not to be a tripping hazard. The electrical cabling that is part of the solar installation will be moved underground which will improve the look of the area, make it safer and reduce the likelihood of damaging the cabling.
   
    
   
   

6. New Entry Staircase, Landing and Balustrade

   A new staircase will be fabricated and installed, with compliant landing and balustrade.

When will it happend and how will it affect me?

It is estimated these major works will take a couple of months to complete. The aim is to have the pools ready for swimming by summer 2024, weather permitting. Unfortunately there will be noise and mess involved in this major project. This will be kept to a minimum as much as possible. Sandblasting the pool may take up to a week and will be very noisy during business hours. Parts of the pool fence (between the pool and the gym) will need to be removed, and materials will be delivered through the lemon grove. The lawn will be protected as much as possible.

Timelines for 2024

The following times are an indication only, and may be impacted by the weather and other unforeseen issues. We will update the timeline as the project progresses.
Wednesday 18 Sep: The pool will be drained.
Monday 23 Sep Thursday 26 Sep: Sandblasting the interior will start, estimated to take 3-4 days 1 week. Following timelines will be adjusted accordingly.
Thursday 26 Sep: Coping and waterline tiles will be removed.
Monday 30 Sep. - 7 Oct: The concrete concourse will be broken up and removed.
Week commencing 7 Oct: The coping tiles will be laid. New concrete concourse to be poured after other work completed Awning poles to be reinstated once the concourse has cured.

We request that you don’t stop and ask the tradespeople about the project as it will slow them down and impede the progress on the pools. Rather, information will be posted on the News Board in the Main Building near the Facilities Manager’s Office, with updates as necessary.