In great news for the Yarram community, Wellington Shire Council Mayor Ian Bye today opened the almost $1 million Warmer Pool for Yarram project.
At $960,000, the Warmer Pool for Yarram project includes an impressive over-pool structure with blinds to offer protection from the weather, electric heat pumps keeping the water temperature to a warm 29 degrees Celsius, new lighting and increased power usage supplemented by photovoltaic (PV) solar cells.
The project is over 20 years in the making and is delivered in close partnership with the Yarram community.
Cr Bye said, "we thank the Yarram community for their long-term advocacy and support of this project."
"The Rotary Club of Yarram must be celebrated for their assistance over the course of the project. It was thanks to significant community investment and support that the Warmer Pool for Yarram project came to life."
The Yarram community successfully applied for a 'Pick My Project' grant from the Victorian Government to install pool blankets in 2019.
"We have been hearing from the Yarram community that the facility here wasn't up to scratch. They wanted to be able to use the pools throughout the summer season for aquatic programming without it being dependant on weather. We listened and worked closely with the community to achieve what can be seen today.
"I am excited to see what the community does with this new space. I know that our Leisure Services team will work together with the community to offer programming that suits the needs of Yarram and surrounds."
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester said the upgraded pool would benefit the local community and create a more versatile and accessible facility.
"The pool can now be utilised for a range of activities throughout the peak and off peak season, in line with the temperature trigger" Mr Chester said.
"I worked with Wellington Shire Council to secure this funding through the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program and ensure one of the community's priorities was funded.
"This is an exciting day for the Yarram community and I'm sure the upgraded pool will be enjoyed by many throughout the warmer months."
The completed Warmer Pool for Yarram project will allow Council's Leisure Services team to offer increased services for the local community. Including Learn to Swim classes, gentle exercise for all abilities, Aqua Aerobics, improved water education, events and birthday parties.
Work on the project was completed by local Gippsland and Victorian businesses. The impressive over-pool structure was installed by Shade 'N' Sails, lighting and electrical by LV Electrical & Maintenance and Tarraelectric, the PV solar cells by Rocky Electrical and new heat pumps by Sunbather.
Wellington Shire Council provided $349,000 for the project, the Federal Government invested $300,000, Sport and Recreation Victoria contributed $250,000, and the Rotary Club of Yarram generously donated $61,000 on behalf of the community.
The new-look Yarram pool will open for the Summer Swim Season with off-peak hours on 25 November. The peak season commences on 17 December, running until 29 January 2023, when the pool will revert back to off-peak hours and conclude on 13 March.
