THREE Orange City Council facilities have fallen victim to the recent chilly nights, suffering burst water pipes as temperatures plummeted to near-record lows.
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The Orange Aquatic Centre, Garema Road Glenroi Community Centre, and Spring Street Children’s Centre were forced to close their doors or move their operations elsewhere while repairs were undertaken.
The Aquatic Centre closed on Sunday when damaged pipes in the external plant room began to leak.
According to Orange City Council Communications Officer Allan Reeder, the leaks forced the centre’s staff to shut down the filtration systems within that room, which meant the pools couldn’t be used.
Plumbers arrived soon after and fixed most of the leaks, but as the temperature fell to about -6 degrees Celsius on Monday morning, the decision was made to keep the centre closed so plumbers could inspect any potential weaknesses in the pipes.
Further filtration and backwash procedures, in addition to work on some of the centre’s electrical systems, was completed on Monday afternoon in time for the centre to reopen its doors at 3pm.
Mr Reeder said a burst pipe above the centre’s kitchen had impacted on that area’s electrical systems, and as a result, the kitchen will remain closed in the coming days.
Meanwhile, the Garema Road Glenroi Community Centre required the attention of a team of carpenters and plumbers on Monday when its ceiling collapsed as a result of burst pipes.
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Fortunately the section of the building which houses FoodCare, which provides affordable groceries and household items to those in need, escaped damage, and the not-for-profit enterprise’s doors will open as per usual on Tuesday.
Elsewhere, staff at the Spring Street Children’s Centre have moved operations to the adjacent Carriage Cottage due to some cold-induced water damage.
Mr Reeder said it was likely the centre would be open as normal on Wednesday, but parents had been phoned and asked to keep children home on Tuesday if it’s convenient.
Those children needing care on Tuesday will be housed at the Occasional Care Centre or the vacation care service at Calare Public School.