The commencement of a two-stage selective tender process has been approved by Clarence Valley Council for the redevelopment of the Grafton Olympic Pool.
Councillors voted 6-3 to endorse the proposal at the Ordinary Council Meeting held at Grafton Council Chambers on Tuesday 27 September. The decision will enable staff to immediately commence the procurement process that will get the Grafton Aquatic Centre 'shovel ready'. This follows the recent development approval by the Northern Rivers Joint Regional Planning Panel earlier this month
The nine-part motion included the officer's recommendation and the need to establish a community focus group to work with Council for the life of the project. Funding of $3,830,545 has been committed to assist with the delivery of the pool redevelopment.
Council will continue to seek financial support from Federal and State governments and Mayor Ian Tiley indicated he was confident this commitment from Council will help signal more favourable support from these stakeholders.
"We are in the lead up to a state election," Mayor Tiley said. "In the last two weeks I've had conversations with three politicians about this matter and last Friday signed a submission to our local MP Chris Gulaptis."
Council's decision also included to not reopen the Grafton Olympic Pool for the 2022/23 season due to increasing structural and safety concerns.
Pool users will continue to have access to Council's other pool facilities in South Grafton, Maclean, Yamba and Glenreagh.
During the meeting, councillors also received and noted the petition "Save Grafton Memorial Pool" and referred it to the General Manager to action accordingly.
The petition requested to "take immediate action in regard to prioritising the issues concerning the Grafton Memorial Pool". This sentiment was echoed in the staff report, which stated the Grafton Olympic Pool "requires urgent renewal", and by the councillors.
"We're in a position now where Council needs to find money to build it and hopefully get some grants in the future," Cr Steve Pickering said. "We need to expedite whatever needs to be done to make this pool built in a timely manner and with as little inconvenience as possible to the community."
The reopening of the Grafton Olympic Pool for the 2022-23 was originally delayed when potential risk and safety concerns were highlighted.
"We understand the impact of the decision not to reopen will cause to the numerous clubs, community groups, schools and residents who utilise the facility every summer. However, the interest of public safety was paramount in this decision," Acting General Manager Adam Cameron said.
"We are committed to delivering a modern and inclusive facility that will provide significant and varied benefits for the whole community."
The waterslide upgrade is part of State Two of the Grafton Aquatic Centre redevelopment.
More details about the Grafton Pool upgrade in the Agenda and Minutes from the September Meeting.
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