The delivery of the Clarence Regional Aquatic Centre has been delayed due to inclement weather.

In a report to this week’s ordinary meeting of Clarence Valley Council (CVC) councillors were told from October 1 to November 12, Grafton has recorded 164.2mm of rainfall, which has resulted in an overly wet site, affecting critical path items including concrete pours, blockwork construction and electrical works.

While Council has assisted by allocating resources to additional labour, concreting and removal of waste, the project

critical path remains in danger of being met. Delays in construction will affect the timing of the official opening

of the Aquatic Centre in its entirety.

Council’s contractor, Hines Construction is currently working towards a partial opening in December of the Grafton Olympic Pool and surrounds. 

The Grafton Cub Scout Memorial Indoor Pool and splashpad is expected to be open in early 2025. It is anticipated that the construction team will finalise works before Christmas and

resume in January, so the revised expected completion for the aquatic centre in its entirety is February, 2025. This will delay the official opening of the centre to February 2025, which also allows time for the event to be planned and arrangements made for the attendance of dignitaries, in accordance with grant agreements.  

A workshop with councillors will be held in early December to gather ideas for the opening. The ideas will be

provided to the Community Focus Group, which will be involved in the official opening event.

It is expected the delay will be debated at this Thursday’s meeting of CVC and a full report will appear next week’s edition of the CV Independent.