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Tusmore Wading Pool Review

The Tusmore Park wading pool has been popular with families, particularly those with toddler-aged children, for many years. However, at more than 50 years old it has reached the end of its useful life and is due for review. In recent times, closures of the pool have become more frequent due to the ageing infrastructure, its design and a number of other factors which contribute to health related risks.

There is an opportunity for the community to provide feedback to help Council determine the future of this space – this could include having the same pool fully refurbished, a similar

The Tusmore Park wading pool has been popular with families, particularly those with toddler-aged children, for many years. However, at more than 50 years old it has reached the end of its useful life and is due for review. In recent times, closures of the pool have become more frequent due to the ageing infrastructure, its design and a number of other factors which contribute to health related risks.

There is an opportunity for the community to provide feedback to help Council determine the future of this space – this could include having the same pool fully refurbished, a similar water-themed play area with different features, or, something else entirely.

There are three high-level options available:

  • Fully refurbish the existing wading pool.
  • Upgrade the wading pool to a different water-themed facility.
  • Other - remove the wading pool and install a new feature which is not water related.

Key parameters for any water-themed option would include that it:

- will remain seasonal,

- will remain a space for families with young children,

- will remain within the same footprint,

- will require the chemical dosage of the water with chlorine for health and environmental safety.

Other important points:

  • A new shade sail would be required to meet current standards.
  • If the community selects a water option, under current regulations, a fence will be constructed around the perimeter of the pool area for risk management purposes.
  • The current pool design does not allow easy access for people with a disability.
  • As visitors to the pool are aware, every season the pool closes unpredictably in order to be drained, cleaned and refilled, often due to ‘toilet accidents’ that young children have in the water, which poses a public health risk for all pool users. While some of this risk could be addressed with a better design and improved chemical dosing equipment, it remains a potential risk for any option which has a ‘wading pool’ area (and particularly a large wading pool area).
  • Because of the age of the pool and infrastructure, the cost to either refurbish or upgrade are similar.
  • There are safety risks involved with a wading pool that is unsupervised, even if the pool is only 300mm deep.
  • The larger the wading pool area, the higher the level of water use.
  • The current wading pool area is well loved by many, and the goal will be for any replacement (whether a refurbishment, upgrade or something else) to be equally (if not more!) loved and used by the community.

Right now Council is seeking input from the community to help inform how we proceed.

To see all of the options, please see below.

What will happen next?

It is intended that design for the preferred option will take place in 2020/21 and construction would follow in 2021/22.

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Come to a Pool Party

Saturday 14 March 2020, 11 am - 1 pm

Tusmore Park Wading Pool, Stirling Street

Free barbecue, ice blocks and soft drinks

Share your ideas on the future of Tusmore Wading Pool.

  • Refurbish - click to see photos

    11 days ago
    Refurbish 1

    Refurbishing the wading pool would see a ‘like-for-like’ wading pool that would feature upgraded filtration equipment, new concrete edging, walls and floor, as well as an upgraded shade sail and pool fencing. This option would maintain the existing design that is a great place for children to play in.

    The possibility of closing the pool to drain, clean and refill throughout the season would remain.

    Choosing this option would likely see the project completed in a shorter timeframe compared to the upgrade option.


    Refurbishing the wading pool would see a ‘like-for-like’ wading pool that would feature upgraded filtration equipment, new concrete edging, walls and floor, as well as an upgraded shade sail and pool fencing. This option would maintain the existing design that is a great place for children to play in.

    The possibility of closing the pool to drain, clean and refill throughout the season would remain.

    Choosing this option would likely see the project completed in a shorter timeframe compared to the upgrade option.


  • Upgrade - click to see photos

    11 days ago
    Upgrade 1

    Upgrade could mean installing a soft-fall surface that has splash pads, fountains and other water features similar to those in Moseley Square in Glenelg, Henley Square at Henley Beach or at the George Bolton Swimming Centre in Burnside or it could involve a smaller wading pool area coupled with a splash pad type feature. Children and toddlers can still have fun and get wet.

    These structures can incorporate environmentally sustainable designs that require less water to operate the water features, plus they remove the risk of needing to drain and replace large quantities of water.

    A soft-fall surface is also safer than concrete as there is less potential for injury with slips and falls.

    If this option is chosen, Council will invite the community to be involved in designing the space. This would mean a longer design period, so the completion of the overall project would take a little longer than the refurbishment option.

    Here are some ideas of other features, that could potentially be included if the community wishes to have an upgrade.


    Upgrade could mean installing a soft-fall surface that has splash pads, fountains and other water features similar to those in Moseley Square in Glenelg, Henley Square at Henley Beach or at the George Bolton Swimming Centre in Burnside or it could involve a smaller wading pool area coupled with a splash pad type feature. Children and toddlers can still have fun and get wet.

    These structures can incorporate environmentally sustainable designs that require less water to operate the water features, plus they remove the risk of needing to drain and replace large quantities of water.

    A soft-fall surface is also safer than concrete as there is less potential for injury with slips and falls.

    If this option is chosen, Council will invite the community to be involved in designing the space. This would mean a longer design period, so the completion of the overall project would take a little longer than the refurbishment option.

    Here are some ideas of other features, that could potentially be included if the community wishes to have an upgrade.


  • Other

    11 days ago

    Removing the water feature provides a number of opportunities, including returning the area to open space, or creating something new such as a plaza, playground or other facility.

    If this option is selected, it will require further community consultation on what to do with the space.

    Removing the water feature provides a number of opportunities, including returning the area to open space, or creating something new such as a plaza, playground or other facility.

    If this option is selected, it will require further community consultation on what to do with the space.