Pool project on track, under budget
By Tim Howard
Grafton swimmers can look forward to a dip in their new $30 million pool complex later this year with progress on the Regional Aquatic Project on track and under budget.
At the April Clarence Valley Council meeting, Cr Alison Whaites, the council member of the community focus group for the project, thanked council staff and pool builder, Hines Constructions Pty Ltd, for keeping the project schedule for a December opening.
And Cr Karen Toms was able to point to a cost saving that’s already been achieved of $20,893.50.
“That’s happened in a variation because consolidating the splash pad plant room with the indoor plant room,” she said.
“Those sort of decisions along the way possibly with the with the project control group, are fantastic and hope let’s hope we get some more savings,” she said.
Cr Whaites said the response to the pool progress had been mostly positive.
“As the councillor on the community focus group for the regional Aquatic Centre, I share weekly updates on social media, photos and actual construction progress so our community is always informed,” she said.
“It’s fantastic to read all the positive comments on social media and from families that actually give me a quick message on social media or they actually stop me in the street to thank us and the council what we’re doing right now for the Aquatic Centre,” she said.
Cr Whaites said it was not just Clarence Valley residents watching the progress of pool construction.
“When I visit Coffs Harbour weekly I do get feedback from that community as well because they’ve always enjoyed coming up to our Grafton the Olympic pool,” she said.
“I know I did when I was a kid and I brought my kids up here as well.
“So they’re actually looking forward to coming up and spending some money in our town.”
Cr Whaites pointed out the site was still known as the Grafton Olympic Pool as there had been no name change approved.
“I just wanted to debunk that myth and that stuff that’s on social media,” she said. “We have not changed the name to date.”
In the report to council the project status as of March 2024 included:
- Completed and poured the 25m backwash tank walls
- Completed and poured the leisure pool balance tank walls
- Installed formwork for 25m balance tank lid
- Reinforcing steel completed for splash pad balance tank base
- Steelwork commenced in 50m pool base
- Completed excavation of the 50m pool backwash tank
- Completed sanitary drainage to male and female amenities in the front of house building
- Commenced rough in of electrical in front of house building.
The council voted unanimously to note the progress on the Regional Aquatic Project.
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