Maintenance of Malabar’s popular Ocean Pool will ramp up this year, starting with critical repairs of the pool’s pump this week.

The pump, which circulates ocean water in and out of the pool to ensure it stays fresh and full, was damaged on Thursday and out of action for the weekend. Council staff on Tuesday 9 January, repaired the pump and the pool is operational again.

Council carries out a weekly inspection for debris and damages, however this will increase to twice a week over the summer period.

Malabar Pool is cleaned fortnightly. This involves emptying the pool, pressure washing the walls, stairs, ramps and surrounds, and then refilling the pool.

“The Malabar Ocean Pool is a popular and much-loved place for residents and visitors,” Randwick Mayor Philipa Veitch said. “The maintenance services and additional inspections over summer will help reduce outages in the future.

“One of the challenges with maintaining a mechanical pump is the harsh marine environment. Plus accessing the underwater pump to undertake maintenance or replacement is dependent on tide and swell conditions.

“Council staff are currently finalising plans for a new pump system to be located above ground and away from the pool. The design will provide for increased reliability and easier maintenance and is scheduled for completion in winter,” Mayor Veitch said.

In the coming months, a major excavation of the built-up sediment on the pool floor will be carried out for the first time in years.

In addition Council will also install new signage providing information about cleaning and maintenance schedules at the pool.