Barnaby Joyce came to Wauchope Pool to announce a $1.5 million upgrade, if his government gets back in.
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The Deputy Prime Minister said the refurbishment would not only increase the capacity of the aquatic centre to cater for local use, but also broader regional events including swimming and diving events.
“I can see Council has begun work on reconstructing the Olympic Pool to meet current competition standards and with this additional funding package I am announcing today on behalf of a re-elected Coalition Government, a new grandstand will be constructed along with a new children’s water park,” he said.
“The Coalition Government has an unwavering focus on jobs and growth and I understand this project will support 14 jobs during construction and 9 jobs on completion.
The Federal Nationals Leader was visiting Wauchope yesterday at the invitation of the Member for Lyne Dr David Gillespie.
He said the new waterpark would also feature a shaded interactive splash play area, and paid tribute to the local pool steering committee, and in particular, Wauchope Pool Association president Di Gilbert on years of campaigning to make the project become a reality.
“As a local resident, I have been a regular user of the pool in the past and I know for many years Di has been campaigning to bring the facility up to scratch to meet its full potential not only for local residents, but the entire region,” Dr Gillespie said.
“With today’s commitment from a re-elected Coalition Government, I am delighted to say Di’s efforts and the work of her committee have paid off.”
Mrs Gilbert said the promised money would be another stage of the project.
“We would like to see a full aquatic centre with a 25 metre indoor heated pool,” she said.
“This would be a good step in the right direction.”
Phil Kaufmann of the Wauchope Bonny Hills Surf Lifesaving Club says there’s been a worrying increase in coastal drownings, though not in patrolled areas.
“It’s very important that people learn to swim,” he said.
“Regional pools are vital.”