Lagoon reopens this month

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

HIGH fences and black plastic have been installed to keep prying eyes away from the Esplanade Lagoon upgrade.

But it hasn’t stopped people from taking a peek.

The popular swimming and sunbaking location has been closed to locals and tourists while $180,000 worth of work is undertaken to replace the lining of the pool.

The work is on track to be ready for people to take a dip by the end of June, weather permitting.

"At this stage we are still leaning toward a June 30 re-opening date, unless something unforeseen happens, and that's unlikely," Cairns Regional Council community relations manager Gary Schofield said.

"Work is progressing well due to dry weather which is needed for the repairs to take place."

The upgrade is expected to "give the lagoon a new lease on life and serviceability for years to come".

The council has copped criticism for choosing the peak tourist season for the month-long closure, but Mayor Val Schier said the needs of the visitors had to be balanced with maintenance requirements for the city’s asset.

<strong>Peek season:</strong> Hannah Jones, Sarah Callister and Blaire Borle.

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