Free entry to celebrate pool’s 60th anniversary

Patrons will be offered free entry tomorrow to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the opening of Tobruk Memorial Pool.

Built between 1960 and 1962, the swimming pool complex commemorated the contribution of the Rats of Tobruk during WWII and recognised increasing public interest in recreational and competitive swimming following the 1956 Melbourne Olympics.

The Rats of Tobruk Association initially wrote a letter to the Cairns Council in 1956 advising that they wanted to assist in the construction of an Olympic-sized swimming pool to perpetuate the memory of those who fell in the siege of Tobruk.

The Council, in response, established a committee to raise funds and construction subsequently started in 1960.

The original Tobruk Memorial Pool was officially opened by then Mayor S. Darcy Chataway on 24 March 1962 in the presence of 35 veterans of the Siege of Tobruk.

The complex at the time included a 50-metre pool, children’s pool and a circular wading pool, along with a grandstand and main build with the now Heritage-listed façade. It cost a total £85,000, £3000 of which was contributed by the Rats of Tobruk Association.

The Cairns Amateur Swimming Club later offered between £3000 and £4000 for the construction of an office and seating.

To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the opening of the complex, the complex managers, Belgravia Leisure, will offer patrons free entry tomorrow and Division 7 Councillor Max O’Halloran will be invited to cut a commemorative cake at 2pm.

A $23.7 million redevelopment of the complex was undertaken by Council from late-2014 to May 2016, which included a new 50m, 10-lane FINA-standard pool, two 25m program/warm-up pools, toddler pool, and the FlowRider.

Redevelopment of the 1.22 hectare complex also included shade over all formal spaces, landscaping and seating, the heating of all the pools, a 417-seat grandstand, upgraded amenities, reception, kiosk and function space, memorial walkway and entrance feature, new access road and 230 off-street car parks.

Since its redevelopment, the facility has become an increasingly popular destination for national and international swimming teams.

Notably, the facility was used last year as the Australian Olympic and Paralympic swim teams’ pre-departure training camp, due to its climate being similar to the Japanese capital, Tokyo.

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