Corowa Pool Project Update
Published on 31 October 2018
Federation Council has confirmed that the Corowa Swimming Pool could be closed for up to two years following the first pool steering committee meeting where committee members were advised about a new timeline, to allow a heated option to be considered during the design process of the new swimming pool complex.
Federation Council Mayor Pat Bourke said that Council is continuing to work as hard as it can, now with the support of the new steering committee to deliver a facility that is able to best meet the needs of many users.
“The new Council has been extremely proactive and has actively challenged the previous options and models presented to the Council over the many years,” he said.
“Council is pursuing the design tender option as it allows Council to ask for innovation to be built into the pool design, including various heating options. Although this process extends the delivery time of the new pool facility, Council see it as a crucial component of the pool redevelopment journey and wish to remain proactive and scope just what is achievable from a design perspective, taking into consideration community consultation, site location, project budget and ongoing maintenance costs.”
Mayor Bourke said community engagement and feedback remains to be a strong focus of Council and ratepayers asked Council to investigate a heated facility which in turn prompted Council to lead to a design tender.
“Given the life span of the new pool facility could be 60 years like the previous one, it is crucial that Council explores all options with pool industry experts and key stakeholders to deliver a facility that will support the future growth of the Federation region,” he said.
“A design tender is considered the best way in which we do this.”
Council made the decision to endorse option four, which consists of a 50 metre pool, learn to swim pool and splash park at an early meeting in May this year.
Funding for the splash park was announced earlier this month securing the foundation for a $750,000 splash park to be built at the Ball Park complex.
The $750,000 forms part of the $3.6m that the Federation Council received from the NSW Government as part of the Stronger Country Communities Fund, which will solely go towards a 6.7m high play structure development, providing a much sought after water play feature.
The Howlong Pool is offering free entry this summer season to provide Corowa swimming patrons with an alternative swim centre while the Corowa Pool project develops.
Design tenders are expected to be advertised before Christmas, and designs will be presented to the steering committee and Council to progress into a construction tender.
