Council did not close the facility. Belfast Aquatics took the decision to close the facility on 21 November 2025 due to the presence of mould and algae throughout the building – which presented a serious public health safety risk. Council supported this decision based on the risk to public health.
The Belfast Aquatics Swimming Pool Committee of Management is responsible for and manages memberships for the facility. It is therefore important that you contact management and/or the committee directly with this question.
Council is unable to disclose these reports due to confidentiality requirements under the Local Government Act. To do so would breach the Act.
Council is unable to publicly release these reports at this time due to confidentiality and public interest considerations under the Local Government Act 2020 and related legislation.
The reports contain sensitive information relating to building condition, health risks and operational matters. Importantly, the Belfast Aquatics Committee of Management, as the operator at the time, was provided with copies of all relevant reports.
Council can confirm that multiple expert assessments by environmental health officers and structural engineers identified significant mould, structural and plant issues throughout the facility that must be rectified to ensure public safety.
Council is not in a position to release the reports nor discuss them publicly, as they are confidential documents. Importantly, as the managers of the facility, the Belfast Aquatics Committee of Management were supplied the reports. Council can confirm multiple expert assessments from expert environmental health and engineers have identified significant mould, structural and plant concerns throughout the facility that must be rectified in order to ensure public safety.
The pool and fitness centre was managed by the Belfast Aquatics committee of management since it opened in 2007. At no time has Council operated the facility since it opened.
Under the terms of the occupation agreement between Council and the committee of management, maintenance obligations lay solely with the Belfast Aquatics Committee of Management.
Since it was opened in 2007, Council has provided over $3 million towards the facility. Most recently, Council provided $290,000 in the 2024/25 financial year.
Degradation of building components over time, coupled with ageing plant and equipment, have led to emerging building structure risks, and the development of isolated pockets of mould.
The Belfast Aquatics Committee of Management were the operators of the facility. The committee of management advised they were not in a position to resolve the mould issue and in turn re-open the facility.
The lease overholding with the Belfast Aquatics Committee of Management concluded on 16 January 2026.
As to the costs of structural repairs, which would need to be done to current building standards, and upgrades to or replacement of plant and equipment to ensure continuity of services at an acceptable standard, Council is evaluating the building’s current condition so as to manage any health and safety risks. Council is also assessing the future options for the facility, in accordance with Council’s Aquatic Facilities Strategy
The Port Fairy pool facility is now under Council’s care and control. Council is evaluating the building’s current condition so as to manage any health and safety risks. Council is also assessing the future options for the facility, in accordance with Council’s Aquatic Facilities Strategy, and over the next few months will engage in community consultation as part of that assessment.
Naturally Council would like to see the facility available for community use. The reality of ageing infrastructure, plant and equipment, and the costs of repair and replacement, means that saving it will be a challenging proposition.
More information is required about the status of the facility and options to rectify the issues to determine this question.
Whilst historically there was levy on caravan parks which was wholly used by the tenant, that was discontinued some years ago. Nevertheless, Council has continued to provide financial support through its revenue base. The amounts previously obtained by way of a small levy would now pale in comparison to the magnitude of the amount the tenant would have needed to spend to fix the facility.
The lease stated the tenant must vacate the premises and return to Council in a well maintained and repaired manner.
Council provided the reports commissioned both via email and physically handed the reports to the committee. The committee also commissioned reports of their own.
Council has met with the committee twice since the December Council meeting
Council has met with community representatives in late December 2025 and has committed to another meeting in late January 2026.
The mould is through elements of the whole building not just the pool space, including in structural elements.
There are some matters that Council cannot disclose publicly, due to confidentiality requirements under the Local Government Act. It is routine for Council to be engaged in deliberations that are confidential in nature that affect the rights of a large number of persons.
The Port Fairy pool facility is now under Council’s care and control. Council is evaluating the building’s current condition to manage any health and safety risks. Council is also assessing the future options for the facility, in accordance with Council’s Aquatic Facilities Strategy, and over the next few months will engage in community consultation as part of that assessment.