AusLeisure

New aquatic facilities at the Wangaratta Sports and Aquatic Centre (WSAC) in Victoria are expected to help the regional city attract major events and serve the growing health and recreation needs of its community for decades to come.

The $4.4 million Wangaratta Aquatic Project has delivered:

• A heated outdoor FINA standard 50 metre pool, with a boom capable of changing the size of the pool to 2 x 25m pools, as well as a water polo pool; 
• A 17m x 12m indoor warm water pool capable of reaching 35 degrees. This complements the existing warm water pool, which has been oversubscribed for swimming lessons and rehabilitation; and
• An outdoor splash pad.

Other elements of the project have included:

• The existing 25m pool has also undergone cleaning and a resurfacing of the pool deck; 
• Significant investment has been made in the plant room for the entire facility;
• Solar panels installed on the centre roof; 
• Formalisation and asphalting of the adjacent carpark;
• Landscaping, including shade trees to be planted in cooler weather

Now in use, the Wangaratta Aquatic Project’s new facilities have resulted from a partnership between the Federal Australian Government’s Building Better Regions Fund, the Victorian Government’s Community Sports Infrastructure Fund and Wangaratta Swimming Club.

Advising the project was being delivered on time and on budget, which was an amazing feat for Council’s Infrastructure team and the contractors Browns, considering the challenges of 2020, Wangaratta Mayor Dean Rees stated “from border closures restricting the entry of tiling contractors, to delays in imports, and a hard lockdown in Melbourne slowing supply, it is just astounding this project is coming in on time.

“This is a community building transformational project that we can all be proud of.”

Council’s Chief Executive, Brendan McGrath said the facilities were being made available for community use at the same time Council’s team at the WSAC was beginning to deliver a new approach to customer service.

McGrath noted “we’ve been able to increase our hours and services at the WSAC over the past couple of weeks so we are almost at 100.

“The team are extremely excited about supporting our community to enjoy these new pools and splash pad.

“Our vision is to create the premiere sporting and events precinct in regional Victoria by integrating the WSAC with the surrounding sporting facilities, including four full size sporting ovals with lighting.

“We’ve already seen The Academy, run by Alex Rance, attracted to this precinct, with a campus to open in the new year. This Precinct will continue to grow and attract more visitors, who spend money at our shops, restaurants and hotels, helping to drive our economy.”

Explaining that a formal opening will be held in the New Year, Wangaratta Sports and Events Precinct Manager, Chloe Davies added “under current restrictions we can host limited numbers, which is not enough for us to throw a big party just yet

“We’ll have some low key COVIDSafe celebrations and invite the community to come along over the course of the weekend to enjoy these state-of-the-art facilities.”

For more information go to www.wsac.vic.gov.au

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