St Arnaud community will be able to enjoy redeveloped swimming pool facilities this summer, with upgrades officially underway.
Northern Grampians Shire Council is delivering the $2.57-million St Arnaud Swimming Pool redevelopment project in two stages.
Stage one includes a refurbishment of the change rooms, which started last month.
Work is on track to be completed in time for the opening of the 2025-26 summer season.
Stage two, which includes repairs to the pool, will start in early 2026 – at the end of the summer period – meaning the peak swimming season will not be inconvenienced by construction works.
Northern Grampians Shire mayor Karen Hyslop said while the region's residents would greatly benefit from the redevelopment, the council did not want construction works to restrict access throughout summer.
"The reason we are not delivering both parts at once is to avoid delays that could result in the pool opening late or not at all, which would be disastrous for the community and not a risk we are willing to take," she said.
"This redevelopment is a big win for the people of St Arnaud and surrounding areas and we are excited about the entire project being completed ahead of the 2026-27 summer season."
The project is being funded by a $1,947,853 grant from the State Government's Regional Community Sports Infrastructure Fund and $650,000 from the council.
Kelly Architects completed the design stage and Build Forth is delivering stage-one works.
"Council engaged with St Arnaud Swimming Club and the schools that use the facility to help determine the project's priorities and objectives," Cr Hyslop said.
"Once completed, the St Arnaud community will have access to modern change rooms with upgraded shower and toilet facilities; new tiling and painting of pools; and an upgraded administration, first aid and kiosk area."
Cr Hyslop said the project was aligned with the council's Sport and Recreation Strategy 2024-2034.
"A key element of stage two is a new access ramp to the pool, which will help us to support the health, wellbeing and social inclusion of more of our residents," she said.
Cr Hyslop said swimming pools were wonderful community assets for people of all ages, with more than 8000 visits to the St Arnaud pool throughout the 2024-25 summer period.
"The redevelopment is part of council's commitment to ensuring we offer the pool facilities our community needs over the swimming period, beyond casually cooling off after school or on a weekend," she said.
She said the council was always looking for ways to improve or add to services, with swim teachers delivering Learn to Swim lessons for infants and preschoolers for the first time during the 2024-25 summer period.
"We had more than 130 students participate across all lessons last season, which is an increase on previous years. We will be looking to run them again when the pool reopens later this year," she said.
