Grafton Aquatic Centre set for development in 2023 minus dive pool
Grafton’s long-awaited Aquatic Centre is set for development – minus a major feature from its original plan.
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Grafton’s long-awaited Aquatic Centre is set for a splash – minus a dive pool.
The mega $3.8 million redevelopment will boast a 50-metre outdoor pool, an indoor heated pool, a splash pad, a 600-seat grandstand, a water slide and renovations.
But some community members expressed disappointment that the plan to feature a dive pool was scrapped.
“Dive-pool was in the original plan, there’s no excitement for the children of Grafton,” Barbara Barrett said on Facebook.
Karin Lea echoed those sentiments on social media.
“Learning to dive and jumping with friends builds confidence and enjoying exercise for all, sad it’s no more,” she said.
In 2020, councillor Jason Kingsley said a dive pool would attract large groups, which could pose safety risks.
Safety concerns were also raised about slippery surfaces - and large teenage crowds susceptible to peer pressure.
It’s believed a diving facility would have added about another $2 million to the cost.
The project - minus the dive pool - was supported at a council meeting at the Maclean Council Chambers on February 28.
The project will include a multipurpose toddler and learn-to-swim leisure pool with beach entry and water features.
The old Grafton Olympic Pool facility offered only water slide sessions and the use of the picnic area across summer due to “increasing structural and safety concerns” of the main pool.
The ‘Save Grafton Memorial Pool’ petition was set up last year.
The petition requested authorities to “take immediate action in regard to prioritising the issues concerning the Grafton Memorial Pool”.
Councillors agreed with this sentiment, saying the pool needed “urgent renewal”.
The mega-development will be split into three stages, which councillors said will mean the pool will be usable after the first stage.
Stage one includes the demolition of the existing pool and the construction of the new indoor facility, including a splash pad and renovations.
Stage two will see the construction of the new outdoor eight lane 50m pool and 600-seat grandstand.
Stage three includes new water slides, which council say is “subject to future funds being identified”.
Some commenters are concerned the project will take several years.
“Stage two will be years away. The way council are, I’ll be dead before the complex is finished,” Krystal Brown wrote.
General manager Laura Black said the staged development will benefit the community.
The indoor facility as part of stage one will be located at the site of the existing pool.
“The indoor facility can be opened while construction of the outdoor pool is underway because construction access from Turf St can be separated from public access to other facilities,” Ms Black said.
She said the two heated pools in the indoor facility will stay open year round.
Jamie Fleeting, Clarence Council director Works and Civil, said the staged approach will allow a contractor to deliver stage one and two quickly.
“This recommendation maximises council’s opportunity to secure grant funding for stage two,” Mr Fleeting said.
Progress on stage two and three will depend on further grants or council loans, which will be reported to council by August 2023.
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Originally published as Grafton Aquatic Centre set for development in 2023 minus dive pool
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