Goulburn indoor pool closed for emergency repairs

Warwick Bennett was responding to a question from Cr Margaret O'Neill at Tuesday's council meeting. She asked whether it was true that a former staff member's complaint about timber beam instability inside the complex was ignored.

A large roof beam cracked inside the 25-metre indoor pool on Saturday, forcing the evacuation and closure of that building.

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The comment about staff's alleged former complaint was aired on Facebook.

But Mr Bennett branded it an "irresponsible comment."

"If that comment about a cracked beam had come forward there's no way this council wouldn't have reacted," he said.

"As soon as we saw this crack following the snowfall, the place was immediately evacuated and I applaud the staff on duty that day (for acting so quickly). That beam could have collapsed and been a disaster. Comments like that are typical Facebook rubbish."

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Deputy Mayor Peter Walker said the comments were "a bloody disgrace." He also praised the quick action of staff.

The heavy snow and the timber beam's age are thought to have caused the structure to crack. Further inspections have identified another cracked beam, a report to councillors stated.

Emergency repairs are underway, including the propping up of beams, under advice of an engineer to prevent further structural damage. A specialist company is setting up the props. The work could take "upwards of four weeks." The exact timeframe for the indoor facility's reopening is unknown at this stage.

Meantime, the 50 metre outdoor pool will be opened in time for the long weekend, ahead of schedule.

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The council has lodged an insurance claim for the repairs.

The damage comes ahead of a call for detailed tenders on the aquatic centre's $29 million stage one redevelopment. Mr Bennett said the project's staging would be reviewed to determine whether the indoor pool work could occur first to ensure "a permanent fix."

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