ORANGE Aquatic Centre reopened on Wednesday morning following Monday night’s intense thunderstorm.
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The 50-metre and 25-metre pools opened on Wednesday morning, with the toddlers’ pool still closed because it took longer to treat.
Orange Fire and Rescue responded to reports of a lightning strike at 5am on Tuesday, however a strike was later ruled out.
Station Officer Matt Jeffrey said two crews of firefighters attended the aquatic centre wearing breathing apparatus.
“There was a smell of burning in the plant room of the aquatic centre,” he said.
There was no lightning strike in the aquatic centre grounds – as a result of the power instability, some equipment overheated.”
- Orange City Council spokesman Allan Reeder
“Firefighters went into the building with a thermal imaging camera, which detects hot spots, and also a gas detector, but there was nothing obvious.
“There was a smell of smoke, but no fire.”
Mr Jeffrey said an Orange City Council electrician was also called to the site.
“There were a number of pieces of electrical equipment within that plant room that weren’t operating, including the air handling system,” he said.
Aquatic centre management released a statement on social media later in the morning, which said the the facility had “little to no power” and would be closed for at least 24 hours.
Council spokesman Allan Reeder confirmed on Monday afternoon equipment at the aquatic centre was affected when power supplies were interrupted during the storm.
“There were a number of blackouts in the area at the southern end of Hill Street around the pool,” he said.
MAP: Where is the Orange Aquatic Centre …
“There was no lightning strike in the aquatic centre grounds – as a result of the power instability, some equipment overheated.”
Mr Reeder said pumps, water filters, equipment in the café and computers in the office were left without power.
“When pumps aren’t operating, the water levels in the pool drop as water moves into balance tanks,” he said.
Essential Energy, council electricians and operational staff on site inspected all equipment during the morning, with only one UV filter requiring inspection by a specialist.
Staff then began restoring water quality in the pools and Mr Reeder said the facility would open as soon as possible.
Tuesday’s learn to swim classes were cancelled.
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