The most Aussie thing ever: watching cricket from the pool

The biggest hit at the Gabba Ashes Test was Cricket Australia’s Pool Deck – casting a pall of envy over the steaming fans in the stands. Is there anything more Aussie than swimming in a pool at the cricket?

The 32KL pool was built by Clifton Productions using a scaffolding structure. Paul Attard maintained the water quality during the Test and will continue to do so for the rest of the cricket season. Attard, who owns a series of Poolwerx franchises, came in prior to the pool opening to plumb it and maximise the hydraulics to ensure efficient circulation.

When matches are on he must test the water three times a day due to the large number of cricket fans using the pool.

“Contaminants like sweat, body oils, sunscreen and drinks wash-off in pool water,” he says. “These can impact pH levels and encourage bacteria. So on Test match days we test and balance the pool water three times a day and clean the cartridges in the evening.”

Maintaining athletes’ spas

Attard and his wife Caroline were approached by Cricket Australia to assist with the set-up and maintenance of the new pool, as they were already maintaining the five spas in the Gabba dressing rooms.

“The pool is temporary and therefore was constructed with scaffolding and a surface liner, so the pool equipment we used had to be suitable for use with these particular construction materials,” says Attard.

“We installed an automated salt water pH control unit so that the pH level of the pool would remain within the optimal pH range. The pool also has cartridge filters and a pump.”

The Attards have operated their Poolwerx business for more than 11 years and Attard says commercial pool maintenance makes up about 40 per cent of their business.

“We maintain health clubs, swim schools and school pools as well as a number of body corporate pools, so we have experience in maintaining pools that carry a heavy bather load,” he says.