Gunnedah Shire Council has approved a master plan for the Gunnedah Memorial Pool Complex, including a new 50m, eight-lane pool and new children’s play areas.
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Plans for a 52m pool with a moveable bulkhead have been dropped after the costs were found to be too high.
Council last night approved the plan for the $7.8 million first stage of the project which includes an upgrade to the main pool area.
A report to council noted the master plan for the complex includes relocation of the 25m heated pool to a site between the new children’s wet area and the 50m outdoor pool in an enclosed area.
This was designated for “the time when the life of the 25m heated pool is exhausted”.
“It is assessed at this point that the 25m heated pool has 15 years of operational life,” the report stated.
The report noted that the cost of a moveable bulkhead for the main pool had been assessed at $400,000 for capital and ongoing maintenance costs.
A bulkhead had been suggested to allow the pool to be split in two for training and heating purposes, or for more flexibility in use.
“Whilst the working group sees the desirability of the bulkhead, it cannot justify the capital or ongoing expenditure at the expense of other important elements of the renewal project,” the report said.
The master plan includes a wave-type roof extending from the pavilion across the children’s wet area, and ultimately over a new 25m heated pool.
The design shows the 50m pool will go to 3.9m at the deep end and 1.35m at the shallow end.
The children’s wet play area will be located close to the entrance and facilities, and alongside the synthetic grassed area and kids’ playground.
New facilities and landscaping are also part of the upgrade.
Details of the children’s play area were not included.
The project is expected to begin construction next year.