Bringing Pemberton Pool back to its glory
The Pemberton swimming pool is a natural pool originally created by the local community shortly after the Great War by damming Lefroy Brook.
By the 1920s it was a prime recreational area for the town and remained so until the mid 1970s.
But by the 1990s the pool had fallen into disrepair. That, combined with increasing public liability and insurance issues, resulted in the pool eventually being closed for use.
It looked like a culturally and historically important site for the people of Pemberton was going to be lost, but a Friends of the Pool group formed and approached the South West Development Commission to help restore the site to the glory days.
The Commission has supported the group in the past 12 months by providing $49,000 funding towards installation of architectural security fencing, reconnection of potable water supplies, paving of the main shelter area and removal of dead trees from the parking lot.
Another $18,000 has been provided by the Commission this year to assist with upgrading of ablution facilities in the change rooms and kiosk improvements.
The South West Development Commission has worked closely with Friends of the Pool, National Trust, Pemberton Visitor Centre and the South West Area Consultative Committee to bring the pool back to life.
The pool is expected to be refurbished within two years.