Rodney Stevens

A splash pad and indoor pools will be constructed at the Grafton Regional Aquatic Centre before the outdoor 50 metre pool is replaced, Clarence Valley Council voted at its February meeting.
Councillors heard the project will be divided into three stages arranged to maximise efficiency, grant funding opportunities, and delivery of services to the community, as well as safety considerations.

Stage One involves the demolition of the existing 50 metre pool and dive pool, construction of an indoor facility featuring two pools, splash pad, electrical substation, and refurbishment of existing amenities.

Stage Two will be the construction of a new outdoor 50 metre pool and grandstand.

Stage Three was to include installation of new waterslides and was subject to future funds being identified, but this was removed in the officer’s recommendation below.

Councillors were briefed by council staff on the Friday before the council meeting about why the Regional Aquatic Centre will be constructed in stages.

Cr Karen Toms moved and Cr Allison Whaites seconded the council officer’s recommendation that council:

1. Remove the dive pool from the scope of the Regional Aquatic Centre basis of safety and construction/operational cost savings.
2. Allocate the next phase of funding from the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program (LRCIP) Phase 4 ($2,051,366) to the upgrade of the Regional Aquatic Centre.
3. Endorse the funding strategy as outlined in the confidential attachment.
4. Receive a report following the outcome of the Community Assets Program grant application and reaffirm in principle support for funding Stage 2 of the project.

Clarence Valley Council Director Works and Civil Jamie Fleeting told councillors that the staged approach will allow a contractor to deliver Stage One and Stage Two in a seamless fashion.

“This recommendation maximises Council’s opportunity to secure grant funding for Stage Two – being the 50m pool and grandstand,” Mr Fleeting said.

“Progress on Stage Two and Three will be subject to either forthcoming grants, Council loans or a combination of both, and this will be reported to Council for confirmation before August 2023.”

Cr Toms said she had every confidence in council staff that delivering the Regional Aquatic Centre in a staged approach was the way to go to maximise funding opportunities.

“Once we get the two smaller pools up and running then we can dispose of the South Grafton Pool, that will actually save us $400,000 a year in maintenance costs,” she said.

In support of Cr Tom’s motion, Cr Allison Whaites said if council proceed to do what the officer’s recommendation states, once Stage One is developed it would not have to be closed to construct Stage Two, the 50-metre outdoor pool.

Speaking against the motion, Cr Peter Johnstone said councillors hadn’t been given the option at any point for the 50-metre pool to be constructed first.

“It seems we are being led down a particular path to a particular outcome,” he said.

“When I speak to people, what they want is a 50-metre pool, they don’t want another 25 metre pool.”

General Manager Laura Black advised Cr Johnstone she would have to investigate what grant implications there were if the staging of the project was changed to deliver the 50-metre pool first.
Cr Jeff Smith spoke against the motion saying, ‘The 50-metre pool needs to be the priority.’

Cr Johnstone put forward an amendment to the motion that was defeated 7 to 2, with support from Cr Smith.

Councillors voted 6 to 3 to support Cr Tom’s motion, with Cr’s Clancy, Smith and Johnstone voting against.

After the council meeting a statement was issued where General Manager Laura Black said it was important for the community to know there were a number of reasons why staff recommended the adopted staging of the project, including being the scenario that returns services to the community as early as possible.

“The indoor facility as part of Stage One will be located on the site of the existing pool infrastructure,” she said.

“It can be opened while construction of the outdoor pool is underway because construction access from Turf Street can be separated from public access to other facilities.

“If the outdoor pool was constructed first, for safety reasons it could not be opened to the public while the Stage One works including pre-construction earthworks took place adjacent to it.
“In addition, there would be no access to amenities.

“The indoor facility includes two heated pools that once opened can stay open all year round.”