After more than nine months, Snowy Monaro Regional Council has taken possession of the pump and filtration equipment needed to complete the Bombala and Cooma pool upgrades.

Council said the new pump and filtration equipment has been delivered.

The equipment had been in the possession of Worrells, the appointed administrator of insolvent company Dalski – the former Bombala and Cooma pool contractor.

Council said the delivery signals an important milestone in both projects.

“New plant rooms continue to be constructed at each of the two facilities, where the newly delivered equipment will ensure that the pool water is kept properly treated to the latest government safety standards,” a council spokesperson said.

“Council is now working to finalise arrangements with a specialist filtered water treatment contractor for the fit-out of the plant rooms and installation of the water pumping and filtration systems at both sites.”

The projects, originally slated to be completed by mid-November last year, are not expected to be finished before the summer swimming season.

Bombala and Cooma pool users face a nervous wait to see if there will be a swimming season after council flagged in July the pools are unlikely to open before 2027.

At an extraordinary meeting in early July, council allocated an additional $1.2 million to complete the upgrades. At the meeting, council said the facilities would likely be closed until the new year.

The beleaguered projects have faced delays, work stoppages and issues with former contractor, Dalski.

Council said the arrival of the equipment will allow the completion of the plant rooms at each pool.

“Council is now working to finalise arrangements with a specialist filtered water treatment contractor for the fit-out of the plant rooms and installation of the water pumping and filtration systems at both sites,” the spokesperson said.

Council has appointed building, heating, ventilation and air conditioning and metal fabrication contractors for both projects.

Site preparation and plumbing works are continuing at both facilities and preparations for the re-location of electricity infrastructure at Cooma Pool are progressing

“As work proceeds over the coming weeks, council expects to set a firm re-opening date for each pool once remaining contracts have been signed and the final project contractors are appointed,” the spokesperson said.