Over five months after the decision to have it decommissioned, the Walgett Memorial Swimming Pool opened their gates yesterday, 27 December for the first swim of the season. 

It’s been a long wait for Walgett residents, who are returning to a once again repaired pool after the decision to decommission it was rescinded following backlash around not having a pool to offer the community throughout the summer. 

Two weeks ago, the council alongside NSW Premier Chris Minns, local MP Roy Butler and Minister Regional NSW Tara Moriarty visited Walgett, announcing that they were hopeful the repairs would be finished in time to open before Christmas. 

“When the pool was decommissioned, we lost a lot of time,” Walgett Shire Councillor Jane Keir said. 

“It was a unanimous decision of council to reverse that decision, and then we’d lost three months,” Cr Keir said.

While the pool’s opening just missed the Christmas cut-off, it comes at good timing, with a hot forecast for Walgett, including a high of 42 degrees in the coming week. 

In celebration of the pool’s return, entry will be free until the New Year, although there will be no kiosk access until 2024, when opening hours will be extended. 

Until then, the pool will be open from 3 to 7 pm daily, subject to staff availability. 

“Today the splash park and pool is opening…but we’re having trouble getting staff between Christmas and New Year,” Cr Keir said.

As the council opts for another year of repairs rather than replacement, council is hopeful that it will carry the town through a few more swimming seasons before a new pool is necessary. 

“In that process of a couple of years, the council will be planning within the council to get everything up and running. We need to be shovel-ready to put a new pool in.”

“It’s going to take millions of dollars to do it, and we need to be well prepared.”

It won't be long before swimming training and learn to swim lessons can get underway at the Walgett town pool. IMAGE: Walgett Swimming Club

In the meantime, Walgett is thrilled to begin their swimming season, albeit a little bit late. 

“We all know the social issues about not having a pool in an isolated bush town.”