REVISED PLAN FOR REGIONAL AQUATIC CENTRE Staged approach to return services as soon as possible

The new Regional Aquatic Centre in Grafton will feature a 50-metre outdoor pool and grandstand, indoor aquatic centre including two 25-metre heated pools, a splash pad, new waterslides, and renovation of existing amenities and front entrance.

The updated project timeline and funding strategy endorsed in February divides the project into three stages, arranged to maximise efficiency, grant funding opportunities, and delivery of services to the community, as well as safety considerations.

Stage One includes demolition of the existing 50m pool and dive pool, construction of the indoor facility, splash pad and electrical substation, and refurbishment of existing amenities. Stage Two includes construction of outdoor 50m pool and grandstand. Stage Three includes installation of new waterslides and is subject to future funds being identified.

The indoor facility will be able to open while construction of the outdoor pool is underway because construction access from Turf Street can be separated from public access to other facilities. The indoor facility includes two heated pools that once opened can stay open all year round.

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

The staged approach will allow a contractor to deliver Stage One and Stage Two in a seamless fashion and maximises opportunities to secure grant funding for Stage two.

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.

PICTURED: From top; An artist’s impression of the new Grafton Aquatic Centre indoor facility; graphic showing the three stage process overlaid over existing facility - blue is Stage One, green is Stage Two and purple is Stage Three.