At a Meeting of Central Goldfields Shire Council last night (26/09) a $550,000 contract to upgrade the 25-metre indoor pool at the Maryborough Sports and Leisure Centre was awarded to On Time Developments – specialists in the pool industry.
The pool tiles are almost 25 years old and are at the end of their life – the upgrade will see the pool tiles in the 25-metre pool and the surrounding pool concourse removed and replaced.
This will improve user experience and safety and ensure the pool is operational for many years to come.
The project is funded by the Federal Government's Local Roads and Community Infrastructure program. To meet the government requirements for funding, Council is required to complete the project by June 2024.
To enable the project to be carried out, the pool hall will need to be closed for approximately 10 weeks from March to May 2024.
The March start date allows the pool to remain open for as long as possible for summer – whilst also allowing enough time for the project to be completed by the funding deadline.
Central Goldfields Shire Mayor Cr Grace La Vella said it was exciting to see investment in this highly valued recreational asset.
"As a Maryborough Sports and Leisure Centre member myself I know first-hand just how much this facility is enjoyed and appreciated by our residents and surrounding communities.
"The reality is the 25-metre indoor pool is now 25 years old – the tiles have reached the end of their life and so it's time for a refresh.
"We know the many people who use the facility every year will miss having access to the pool whilst the project is undertaken, but it's a case of short-term pain for long-term gain.
"Once complete the upgraded pool will be more enjoyable to use and it will be preserved for the next 25 years to come.
"Council is committed to investing and maintaining our local pools. We've also upgraded the Talbot and Dunolly pools during the winter so that they are ready to go when the outdoor pool season opens on the first weekend of December.
"We also continue to advocate behind the scenes for the funding needed to restore the heritage-listed Maryborough Outdoor Pool so that it can be re-opened to the community again.
"As part of this, in July, we submitted an expression of interest application to the Federal Government's Growing Regions Program – Round One (GRP1) for $4 million in funding for the Maryborough Olympic Pool Complex Project.
"In November this year we expect to hear if we have progressed to the next stage of the application process.
"Whilst we await this news, works to rebuild the Octagonal Pool are currently underway which brings us another step closer to preserving this valued heritage asset."
To complement the retiling project, as part of this year's Capital Works Budget, Council is also undertaking design work to determine what works are needed to restore the Maryborough Sports and Leisure Centre roof infrastructure.
The project follows recent upgrades to the Talbot and Dunolly outdoor pools.
The Talbot and Dunolly outdoor pool upgrades were also funded by the Federal Government Local Roads and Community Infrastructure program and included:
- Repainted pool shells
- Fixed expansion joints
- Upgrading plant room and equipment
Council is working with the Maryborough Sports and Leisure Centre to finalise opening hours for the outdoor pool season – information will be communicated once details are confirmed.
