The Cataract Gorge pool will reopen to the public a week later than anticipated after the Australian Tourism Awards last Friday.
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City of Launceston council last month said the pool would be open for the March long weekend, but in a statement issued Friday afternoon assured it would be next weekend instead.
The pool was closed on February 15 and drained to allow installation of the marquee which held some 800 people for the awards, deemed a success by council and the state government, along with tourism and business groups.
City of Launceston mayor Albert van Zetten said event contractors and staff had been working to have the pool reopened as soon as possible - now pegged for next weekend.
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"The event organisers have all-but completed work dismantling the scaffolding and flooring for the marquee, Cr van Zetten said.
"Once that's completed we can start refilling the pool early next week and have it ready to use again by the public by next weekend.
"We had hoped to have the pool reopen before the long weekend, but unfortunately that's not going to happen."
People would still be able to access the pools at the Launceston Aquatic Centre, with First Basin and all other areas of the gorge are still open to the public, Cr van Zetten said.
Attendees dubbed the award night - usually held in a capital city - one of the best events yet.
More than 800 of the nation's top tourism identities flocked to the makeshift convention centre at the Cataract Gorge, with guests saying they had never before seen that level of effort put into the awards.
Cr van Zetten praised the award organisers as "hard working and dedicated people" who should be "extremely proud of what they were able to achieve".
"The people I spoke to at the event on Friday night were blown away by not only what was is an incredible setting at the Cataract Gorge, but how smoothly and professionally everything ran on the night."
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"Everyone was very impressed and no doubt that positive feedback is already filtering out right across the country.
"It will go a long way to cementing Launceston's growing reputation as a high quality tourism destination both nationally and internationally."
A community event to officially open the revamped gorge play space - under planning and development since late 2017 - was held following the awards last weekend.
The space is designed to be flood proof and includes slides, swings and a sand area with an artificial stream and large wooden mouse wheel.
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Matt Dennien
Matt Dennien is a journalist at The Examiner, based in Launceston. Contact him via email at matt.dennien@examiner.com.au, or more securely via Signal on +61 437 672 994.
Matt Dennien is a journalist at The Examiner, based in Launceston. Contact him via email at matt.dennien@examiner.com.au, or more securely via Signal on +61 437 672 994.
