Underwater video reveals 'years of neglect' at Continental Pool

Continental Pool users at North Wollongong have provided The Illawarra Flame with an underwater video which they say demonstrates how “years of neglect” is impacting the popular community facility.

Shot on 17 February, and provided to regular pool user Tony Konjarski anonymously by a member of the public, it shows pipes, which carry ocean water into the pool, leading to a steel box cage.

“That box is crucial. It is the filter system which stops debris from getting into the pipeline that carries water into the pool,” Tony said.

“With regular maintenance, that filter should be clean and free of any debris around it, but it’s clogged up with seaweed and shells growing all over it."

“When it’s in this sort of bad condition it puts extra pressure on the mechanical plant system, where you’d have the valves break due to the extra strain in sucking the water inside the pipe," Tony said.

"It‘s a bit like a person‘s heart pumping blood into the body, and when you have a blocked artery it adds more pressure to the heart, and which in turn weakens the heart from doing its work.”

Tony and other regulars at the Continental Pool have complained that ongoing problems with the pool’s pumps means it’s closed for longer each week to allow for cleaning.

“Of course all this could have been prevented if council followed its regular maintenance program and getting the steel cage blasted with specialised underwater equipment that used to be done once a year.”

Tony blamed cost cutting for the growing list of problems being reported at the popular pool. “It’s what happens as a result of years of neglect,” he said.

Another regular pool user, Rob Ivancic, from West Wollongong, believes the problems at the Continental Pool started when the council decided to remove the full-time live-in caretaker role about five years ago.

“By taking away that caretaker role, the pool just isn’t getting the care and attention it used to,” Rob said.

“The walls around the pool aren’t cleaned like they were in the past," Rob said.

"There are a lot more cracks appearing on the concrete around the pool which haven’t been fixed in a long time. It’s creating trip hazards and a health and safety issue.”

Allan, a North Wollongong local who has been coming to the pool for 60 years, also expressed alarm at its deteriorating condition.

“The pool concourse is simply falling apart.”

He suggested Ward Two councillors should visit the pool to see the problems firsthand and talk to swimmers about their concerns. “This is a part of their area and they should be aware of what’s going on.”

Maureen, who’s been swimming at the Continental Pool for decades, loves her regular visits. “It’s a great asset for the region,” she said.

But she shares concerns about the pool’s current maintenance regime.

“There’s little or no maintenance on the floor of the pool and bits and pieces coming off the bottom of the pool and sides of the pool.”

Maureen says she supports others who want to see the pool looking its best well before the Conti turns 100 in 2028.