A development application for a $14 million redevelopment of the Gunnedah Memorial Pool Complex has been lodged.
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The application seeks approval for two stages – the $7.8 million first stage and a second stage to cost $6.2 million which has not yet been funded.
The second stage will see construction of a new heated pool at a different location within the complex.
Council adopted a master plan late last year which includes installation of a new, eight-lane 50m outdoor pool, a new kids’ wet area, refurbishment of the existing War Memorial Pavilion and improvement works to the existing 25m heated pool.
Stage one also includes new shade facilities and improvements to filtration and accessibility.
Tenders for stage one construction are expected to be invited in August, with construction work to start towards the end of this year.
Construction is expected to take 12 months.
“A construction program is being prepared by the architects in order to ensure that public swimming facilities will be available at the complex during the construction period,” Gunendah mayor Owen Hasler said.
“Council is very conscious of the need to maintain swim facilities and mitigate the impact on patrons during the redevelopment work.”
The pool complex is heavily used over the summer period, particularly for school swim carnivals in February and March.
The unfunded stage two will include construction of a new 10-lane indoor heated pool, enclosure of the kids’ wet play area, installation of tier seating and landscaping.
The existing 25m pool will be decommissioned during this stage.
“It was important that the long-term vision for the pool complex was established in the master plan,” Cr Hasler said.
“The development application will seek approval for the total redevelopment, but only stage 1 will proceed to construction.”
The new outdoor pool will be built in the same location as the existing 50m pool.
The new kids’ wet play area will be adjacent to the existing pavilion with space left between it for the new 10-lane, 25m heated pool when it is constructed.
This will allow enclosure of both the children’s area and the new 25m pool in stage two.
“This is an existing design by architects GHD Pty Ltd which allows renewal and upgrading of the existing facilities as well as improvements to filtration system and the current heated pool whilst also making provision for further development and improvement of the complex in the future,” Cr Hasler said.
“The existing 25 metre heated pool is estimated to have about 15 years of functional life left.
“It is vital that we plan for the future both in terms of the standard of infrastructure that is in need to support our community but also financially.”
The development application is currently on public exhibition with submissions closing on April 19, 2016.
A council spokesperson said the development application would be referred to the Northern Joint Regional Planning Panel for determination because the development was a council project with a value of more than $5 million.
The panel is expected to consider the application in May.
People can view the development application at the front counter of Gunnedah Shire Council administration building or on the Gunnedah Shire Council website www.gunnedah.nsw.gov.au/index.php/da-s-on-exhibition/finish/136-das-on-exhibition/3208-da-2016-031-11-anzac-parade-gunnedah-memorial-pool-upgrade