AN $800,000 upgrade of Owen Swimming Pool will go ahead after Wakefield Regional Council  secured a State Government grant to support the project.

The project includes installation of a new water treatment system, construction joint repairs to the main pool, and addressing wider compliance issues.

The $400,000 grant was awarded through the Office of Sport and Recreation’s Regional and Districts Facilities Program (RDFP), while WRC will also contribute $400,000 to the project.

“The Owen pool was not compliant with modern standards while also losing almost 1 million litres of water per year, meaning it would need to close if upgrades were not progressed,” WRC Mayor, Rodney Reid said.

“This is great news for the wider district as this facility has been the central location for school swimming lessons while the Balaklava Swimming Pool remains closed pending its upgrade works.

“It also ensures the Owen community will retain a wonderful local attraction, social gathering point and fitness facility for its wide-ranging user base.”

The grant now means all three public pools in Wakefield Regional Council will remain open for the foreseeable future, following recently completed upgrades at Hamley Bridge, and yet to commence works at Balaklava.

Owen Swimming Pool committee president, Erin Warnes, said the grant announcement was welcome news.

“The committee is incredibly thankful for council’s commitment to all three projects and looking beyond the bottom line by investing in the future of our community,” Mrs Warnes said.

“The successful grant means our community can continue enjoy a range of benefits the pool brings, from those of fitness and wellbeing to skill development to a place of belonging and fostering community participation.

“We are excited for the next chapter of Owen Swimming Pool.”

Hamley Bridge Swimming Pool will reopen this summer, while the $3.2 million rebuild of the Balaklava Swimming Pool has secured $1.6 million grant funding but is awaiting approval of a further grant application seeking another $800,000 to put towards the project.

Under grant funding guidelines, a project is not eligible for financial support if it has already commenced construction.

“The upgrade of Balaklava pool will be completed irrespective of the additional grant application and the project timeline indicates the rebuild would not be finished in time for the 2021-22 summer regardless of the delay,” Mayor Reid said.

“Initial estimates suggest the Balaklava pool rebuild should be finished by about this time next year.”

A start date is yet to be confirmed for the Owen Swimming Pool upgrade but work should take between two to three months.