Published on Thursday, 28 May 2020 at 12:56:28 PM

Council has endorsed decommissioning the Gratwick Aquatic Centre (GAC) dive pool and the construction of an undercover family area in its place.

The decommission and construction works are set to be completed during the facility’s non-operational closure period of July to October 2020, ready for the summer season.

Council has noted the ageing condition of the Town’s aquatic facilities, endorsing preliminary research to commence for an Aquatic Facilities Masterplan. GAC is approximately 50 years old, and the South Hedland Aquatic Centre (SHAC) is around 40 years old. 

Commissioner Fred Riebeling AM JP said the works were in the interests of ratepayers and aligned with the Town’s strategic direction. 

“I have endorsed the decommission of the Gratwick Aquatic Centre dive pool and the construction of a family area in its place, featuring fixed tables, seating and a barbecue and food preparation area, set to be completed by late 2020.

“I understand some residents enjoyed the dive pool, however it would cost around $1.7 million to remediate the dive pool to get it up to standard.

“The national trend is for dive pools to be confined to specialised Olympic standard aquatic facilities, due to the pools’ depth and need for significant supervision. 

“Officers have determined that an additional area for social gatherings would be highly valued, better suited to community wellbeing and would not pose the safety risks of a dive pool. Decommission, and construction saves ratepayers around $1.3 million compared with refurbishing the dive pool to become operational. 

“I have noted the fact that the Town’s aquatic facilities are towards the end of the operational life cycle. Therefore it is in the Town’s strategic interest to start investigating the pathway for an Aquatic Facilities Masterplan. 

“The works will be allocated to the Town’s 2020/21 capital expenditure program, and I look forward to the family area opening to the public in late 2020, ready for the Pilbara summer.”

For Media Enquiries:
Laura Hawes
Manager Marketing Communication and Events
(08) 9158 9365 | lhawes@porthedland.wa.gov.au

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