As an official ceremony marked a $633,200 refurbishment of Mortlake Swimming Pool on Tuesday, a large splash of water from the pool caught attendees by surprise.
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Fittingly, the source of the water was a child who had jumped into the upgraded pool with delight.
The upgrade, jointly-funded by Moyne Shire ($433,200) and the state government ($200,000) involved the installation of a new wet deck and liner to prevent leaks, the replacement of gutters and pool edging and the installation of a cantilevered shade.
Two special guests at the ceremony, Elizabeth Blain (formerly Coverdale) and John Coverdale, returned to the pool four decades after they took part in the unveiling of a lap clock to honour their grandfather Roy Giles’ work in establishing the facility.
The pair reenacted a photo of them standing on either side of a plaque – then aged 10 and eight – and a replacement lap clock was unveiled.
Mrs Blain said her grandfather, a “character” would have been chuffed to see the pool in its current condition.
She and her brother travelled from Inverloch to attend the event, and said she remembered riding her bike down to the pool – the place for young people to socialise – as a child.
“The whole summer, life was by the pool,” Mrs Blain said.
Mortlake Swimming Pool stems from baths that were constructed in 1926 after strong community support.
Mortlake-based Moyne Shire councillor Jill Parker said the refurbishment of the well-used pool reassured the local community that the shire was still supporting it and it was not forgotten.
“The pool is a very big part of community life, particularly in summer,” she said.
“We can’t nick down to the beach.”
Mortlake Community Development Committee’s Kelvin Goodall said the works brought the pool “into the 21st century” and he praised the social and health benefits it provided for the community.
“It lifts the morale and the community spirit of our people,” Mr Goodall said.