But those hoping for a short-term solution will be forced to wait as owner Tap-Ky Duong confirmed the required refurbishments won’t take place until early next year.

He said a wall would be created in the existing childrens’ pool at the Wagga Road facility with one side to be lowered to 1.1 metres in depth and suitable access created.

Once complete, the pool temperature will be increased to 32 degrees which is slightly cooler than the out of action pool at the Albury hospital.

“I understand most hydro pools are around 32 to 34 degrees,” he said.

“We will be just at the lower end.”

Mr Duong said the $350,000 project also includes a roof repair and paint job with disabled persons amenities also to created.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:

“We have booked the builders and will close at Christmas for six weeks which is our quiet period,” he said.

“The NSW school terms are our busy period and the only time we are quiet is basically Christmas to Australia Day.

“These things take time and money.

“We use the pool presently for swimming lessons so the only time we can shut down is Christmas.

“Some feedback we've had is the base hospital pool gets quite full when it is open and people were already looking for an alternative even if it does re-open.”

Earlier this week another privately operated indoor pool, Gould Swim Academy, said it wasn’t a suitable alternative.

Meanwhile, Albury councillor Darren Cameron has responded to pressure for council to come to the rescue of the hospital hydrotherapy pool and bankroll its repairs.

Calls have also been made for council to re-visit its sidelined plans to build a major indoor aquatics centre at Lauren Jackson Sports Centre which would include a hydrotherapy pool.

Cr Cameron was one of the most vocal opponents to the plan which council dealt with more than a year ago.

“The issue of the hydrotherapy pool at Albury hospital is absolutely the responsibility of (member for Albury) Greg Aplin and his state government and not council,” Cr Cameron said.

“It is not our responsibility, it is the responsibility of the health service, end of story.

“We’re not spending $48 million of ratepayers money on a chlorinated Palace of Versailles.”

Albury and Wodonga councils are working together on attracting funding for an indoor pool complex.