The National Capital Development Commission had been unsure about continuing to provide cold pools in the ACT, after three or four poor-attendance summers had given the impression that the public had lost interest in swimming.

But the summer of 1973 proved it was worth the investment, as pool attendances soared. Swimming was permitted in Lake Burley Griffin that year, but this did not stop people from going to the pool.

The NCDC was still not planning to build any more cold swimming pools in Canberra. ACT Advisory Councillor Mr Ken Fry said they would plan for the new Tuggeranong pool to include both cold and heated pools.

The cold pools of Canberra during the summer saw an attendance of 80,851 at Phillip, and 69,813 at the Olympic Pool, a significant increase in comparison to the previous year, which saw 46,793 and 30,503 attence each pool respectively.

Manuka Pool had seen at least a 50 percent increase.

The NCDC was looking to include in its budget a 25-metre heated pool next to Civic's Olympic Pool.

See trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/11959120

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