Bundaberg Regional Council has brought forward plans to demolish the Queensland city's historic Anzac Park pool, to remain eligible for federal funding.
The council has received a $5 million government grant to build a new riverside recreational precinct, but the terms require the development — including demolition of the old pool — to be finished by 2023.
The Bundaberg Regional Council had originally promised to keep the pool operating until a new aquatic centre was built at a separate location.
Australian Olympian Michelle Pearson fondly remembers the hours of training spent in the Anzac Park pool back in the 70s.
The pool was the breeding ground for her illustrious career, including her bronze medal in the 200-metre individual medley at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
The 59-year-old said she supports the construction of a new aquatic centre, but the community needs more than one pool to accommodate swimmers.
"We were under the impression it was going to stay open for another two or three years — as long as it took for the other pool to be completed," Ms Pearson said.
"He has gone back on that word.
"We definitely need a new pool, either a revamped Anzac pool or a new facility.
"We need two pools to cater for all of the different community groups, swimmers and schools that use the facilities."
Demolition to start mid-2022
The council expects demolition of the 99-year-old pool to begin in the middle of this year.
It will see 1950s architecture reduced to rubble.
The council's Executive Director of Strategic Projects and Economic Development, Ben Artup, said the timeline had to be accelerated to meet funding guidelines.
"It is bittersweet, we've got this $5 million dollars from the federal government for the redevelopment," he said.
"We're going to have to make sure that we work with those groups in the community who expressed those concerns and make sure that we schedule better,
Mr Artup said council-owned pools at Norville, Gin Gin and Childers remained open, along with private pools like the Bundaberg Swimming Academy.
"We're hoping the public facilities will be used a bit better and some of those other private facilities can play a role in meeting those community needs over the next two years," he said.
Just shy of centenary
Bundaberg Rum City Masters' swimmer Jann Edwards said club members were shocked when they found out the pool would close next month.
"Just a flat bit of ground, nothing to remember the pool by.
"We spent so much of our time training morning and night and buying lollies from Shelly's [Michelle's] dad. Club nights were a really great time as well.
"We had lots of really great times there."
