Leisurelink pools to close again for hyperchlorination

ALL pools at Leisurelink will close for the second time in two months tomorrow (Friday, January 26) for a hyperchlorination process.

The Department of Health has notified the City of Greater Geelong that three people with confirmed cases of cryptosporidium have visited the facility in Waurn Ponds within their incubation period in the past month.

As a result, the department has recommended that a precautionary measure of hyperclorination needs to be carried out overnight.

Cryptosporidium, also known as “crypto”, is a waterborne parasite that causes diarrheal illness and is very tolerant to standard chlorine disinfection.

The hyperchlorination process will be applied to all pools in the facility overnight, with chlorine to be returned to safe levels for swimming and the pools to be reopened this Saturday, January 27.

Tomorrow’s hyperchlorination follows a similar process on December 14, when the department notified the city that three people with cryptosporidium had visited Leisurelink in the previous three weeks.

Earlier today (Thursday, January 25), the city’s acting executive director of community service delivery Amanda Locke said the health and safety of the community remains the top priority.

“We are following the advice of the department and will take every precautionary measure we can for community safety.

“This is something that happens in the aquatics industry, and we will be working with the Department and other providers to help educate the community about healthy swimming.

“The closure of the Leisurelink pool hall tomorrow will be an inconvenience to some members and visitors, but this is a necessary step and we encourage our customers to take the opportunity to visit other Swim Sport & Leisure centres in Greater Geelong.”

Only the pool hall, including the sauna, steam room and spa, will be closed. The remainder of the facility, including the gym and group exercise studios, will be open 8am to 4pm (modified public holiday hours).

For Department of Health information about healthy swimming, head to health.vic.gov.au/water/healthy-swimming