After cleaning of the full pool proved to be a difficult task to complete in the time frame given, a decision was made last Monday to completely drain the pool so that the algae that had built up in the off season could be cleaned from the sides of the pool with a pressure cleaner.

When the pool was drained a million litres of water went straight down the drain and into the creek behind the railway station.

In the past the same thing has taken place, with the pool being drained every season for cleaning and filled back up with fresh water. It was intended that the water in the pool could be retained for this years season by regularly running the pool pump in the off season combined with cleaning in the weeks leading up to the season opener.

The refilling started last Wednesday and come Friday the pool was far from being full.

Instead of delaying the opening, Shire General Manager Annabell swung into action to ensure the pool was ready in time.

Shire outdoor staff to their credit, worked extra hours late Friday and early Saturday morning to clean the pool and cart water from the shire depot up to the pool to assist in the refill operation and to make sure the pool was ready in time. Come 7am Saturday morning the water was still well below the full mark, but by the time the gates were opened at midday on Saturday the pool was full and ready to go.

Although the day was a little windy, around 200 people took the opportunity to take a plunge and enjoy the free entry and a free sausage sizzle.

A large inflatable crocodile water slide was afloat in the shallow end of the big pool which proved to be a big hit with the kids on the day.

Harden has always laid claim to one of the best pools in the local area, as the pools at the bigger neighbouring towns of Cootamundra and Young have never stacked up against the pool in Harden. Now with the upgrades mostly completed the Harden Memorial Swimming Pool is set to shine for the season ahead and well into the future.