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Kogarah War Memorial Olympic Swimming Pool, Carss Park

Kogarah War Memorial Olympic Swimming Pool, Carss Park
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Kogarah War Memorial Olympic Swimming Pool, main pool with poolside benches
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Kogarah War Memorial Olympic Swimming Pool, main pool with pool podiums
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Kogarah War Memorial Olympic Swimming Pool, long view of main pool
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Kogarah War Memorial Olympic Swimming Pool, children's pool with lounge area
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Kogarah War Memorial Olympic Swimming Pool, children's pool
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Kogarah War Memorial Olympic Swimming Pool, indoor gym
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Kogarah War Memorial Olympic Swimming Pool, entrance with sign
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Kogarah War Memorial Olympic Swimming Pool, map of grounds
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Kogarah War Memorial Olympic Swimming Pool, official opening plaque
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Kogarah War Memorial Olympic Swimming Pool, in construction
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Description / Background

The Kogarah War Memorial Olympic Pool was first discussed at Kogarah Council at a special meeting of the Olympic Pool Committee, which was addressed by members of the Kogarah and District War Memorial Olympic Pool Building Fund Committee, a community committee with the aim of having the pool constructed (Kogarah Council minutes, 16 Nov 1964). Secondary sources indicate the RSL had raised 25% towards the cost of construction, however, the Kogarah District War Memorial Olympic Pool Building Fund Committee donation records show the local RSL's actually contributed £150 of £3000 raised by the Fund Committee (0.3% of the cost of the pool).

The contract to construct the pool was awarded to Ferrum Engineering Co Pty Ltd, who were also involved in the construction of the Sans Souci Olympic Pool at the same time. A Kogarah Council meeting on 3 August 1965 set the completion date, with penalties to be imposed if this was missed. The pool was opened to the public on 30 October 1965, with admission charges of 1/6 (15c after decimalisation) for adults and 6d (5c) for children. Council were subsequently involved in litigation with Ferrum Engineering over elements of the contract.

Kogarah War Memorial Olympic Swimming Pool at Carss Park was officially opened on Saturday 1 October 1966 by Mayor of Kogarah Alderman E A Duggan. At the occasion of the opening, the total costs of the facility (including pool, amenities block and foundation piles) as well as the financial contributions to the project were reported in The Propeller 6 October 1966.

Georges River Council closed the Kogarah War Memorial Pool on Tuesday 23 July 2019 following an investigation of environmental damage caused by the pool discharge and leaking of water into the Georges River. Council had monitored levels of subsidence since the 1980s – a result of the pool being built on reclaimed land. Council worked with engineers and the NSW Environmental Protection Authority over many years to identify the source of the leaks as well as the structural and geotechnical integrity of the pools and their foundations.

Inscription

Plaque

This Olympic swimming pool was officially opened by

His Worship the Mayor of Kogarah

ALDERMAN E. A. DUGGAN

on the 1st October 1966

Members of the Council

Alderman D. D. Cross M.L.A.

Alderman K. G. Dalgleish

Alderman R. T. Gardner

Alderman A. W. Hardiman Deputy Mayor

Alderman C. H. King

Alderman J. A. Langton

Alderman A. S. Oakey

Alderman W. H. R. Robinson

Alderman W. Saville

Alderman W. K. K. Spalding

Alderman C. I. Sullivan

B. J. Clay

Town Clerk

J. W. Lindsay

Engineer

W. E. Scholes

Health Surveyor

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Address
Carss Bush Park
78 Carwar Avenue
Carss Park NSW 2221
Local Government Area
Georges River Council
Setting
Garden/park
Memorial type
Swimming pool/swimming centre
Recorded by
Kathryn Skelsey; John MacRitchie; Thomas Koruth
Year of construction
1965
Dedication date
01 October 1966
Conflict/s
All conflicts
Materials
Brick
Concrete
Glass
Timber