Chinchilla War Memorial Swimming Pool

In February 1958, Chinchilla Shire Council agreed to call a public meeting to discuss the possibility of having a swimming pool installed in the town.

The meeting was held on 24 February 1958 with more than 100 residents in attendance. It was decided to ask the Chinchilla Shire Council to apply for a loan of £40,000 for the construction of a town pool. The pool was to be known officially as the Chinchilla War Memorial Swimming Pool, & in March 1958, the Council agreed to apply for the loan.

In February 1960, it was announced that the Chinchilla Shire Council had agreed to provide a full-sized Olympic swimming pool at a total cost of £60,000. The figure was to be made up of donations, council funding & subsidies.

The fund gradually grew, & by September 1960 tenders were called. There were three stages to construction, & separate tenders were called for each stage. The first being the construction of the pool itself along with a children's pool; the second for the construction of the entrance building & dressing rooms; & the third for the provision of a water purification plant.

By the middle of February 1961, the excavation of the pool was almost completed & in September of that year, the pool was completed and test-filled with water to check for leaks.

The Chinchilla War Memorial Swimming Pool was officially opened by the Minister for Lands, the Hon. Alan Fletcher, on Saturday 13 October 1962. More than 1500 people were present to witness the opening.

The pool is now known as the Chinchilla Aquatic & Fitness Centre, & is located at 97 Middle Street, Chinchilla.