Emma Pritchard

Clarence Valley Council (CVC) have confirmed the redevelopment of the $29.1 million Grafton Aquatic Centre remains on track.

Following months of intense debating and community concern, a show of hands accepting a foreshadowed motion 7-2 at the CVC ordinary meeting on September 26 last year ultimately gave the much longed for project the green light, with the tender awarded to Bathurst based company Hines Construction.

Last week, Councillor Allison Whaites, who has long been a strong advocate for the Grafton Aquatic Centre, informed the Clarence Valley Independent when approached for comment that full demolition work on the site is now complete, with construction on Stage 1 and Stage 2, including an indoor facility, splash pad, a 50m outdoor pool and grandstand, an accessible adult change facility and the refurbishment of existing amenities currently underway.

Councillor Whaites said energy efficient options have also been included in the design, with the Grafton Aquatic Centre scheduled to open before Christmas in 2024.

As another hot and humid summer (the second in as many years) that residents of Grafton and surrounding communities have lived through without access to a large public pool approaches its end, members of the public have welcomed news the Grafton Aquatic Centre is set to open when the mercury is expected to climb high once again.

“The Grafton Aquatic Centre will provide an invaluable service to everyone in the Clarence Valley,” said Grafton local Dot Baker, who has been closely following the progress of the project since council announced the reopening of the pool would be postponed in September 2022, citing major safety concerns when significant subsidence was found to have occurred on site.

“This is a project everyone in the community, and some people on council, fought valiantly for.

“I’ve been watching the demolition progress during the past several weeks, and to hear the Grafton Aquatic Centre is on track to reopen by the end of the year, it really is the best news.”