Goulburn Mulwaree Council throws open doors to new aquatic centre

Holding her mother, Silvia Astorga's hand, she was dwarfed by the city's new $30 million pool hall, opened by Goulburn MP Wendy Tuckerman.

"We've been waiting two years for this," Ms Astorga said.

"We moved to Goulburn two years ago from Sydney and we're very happy here. The complex is amazing."

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COVID put paid to Penelope's swimming lessons. But now she'll join a swelling list of Learn to Swim students taking the plunge at the new facility. Her mother, a keen swimmer, will also be diving into the pools.

Guests were in awe as they took in 4000 square metres of pool space, double the former area. The complex includes an eight-lane, 25 metre indoor pool, program pool, water play area, hydrotherapy pool, gym, change rooms and a café which opens out onto Victoria Park.

FDC Construction and Fit-out built the complex, which was designed by DWP. Construction started after the old 25-metre indoor pool's demolition in August, 2020. Workers were applying the finishing touches up until Thursday night. Only landscaping, drainage and other minor work remain.

The council's operations director, Matt O'Rourke said it was the most significant upgrade since the 50-metre outdoor Memorial pool's construction in 1964.

"The 50m pool still has life in it but this facility will be here for many decades to come," he said.

"...We're very pleased, satisfied and proud of this. The council has been working on the project in one sense or another for 20 years and I've been involved since 2015. It's one of the best experiences I've had...The contractors have been terrific, very transparent and inclusive and worked with us every step of the way to achieve the best outcome."

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The work is within budget. The state government granted $10m, while the council has funded the remainder.

Mayor Peter Walker told the crowd the facility would service Goulburn and the wider region. Critically, it included a hydrotherapy pool, double the size of one at Bourke Street Health Service.

"It's new, pristine and state of the art...It's absolutely magnificent and I think it will lead to growth in membership...It's a step forward for the swimming community," he said.

Goulburn Amateur Swimming Club vice-president Angela Remington agrees.

"We're very excited," she said.

"We normally have training every Friday night at the outdoor pool but now we can have an extra night in winter, maintain swim squads' fitness and have proper diving blocks. It will make a huge difference," she said.

The club is already vying to host a short-course development meet and the Country Championships.

Gary Lord will manage the centre. He competed at the 1990 Commonwealth Games, placing sixth in the 100m freestyle and winning gold in the 4x200m men's freestyle relay.

Mr Lord has managed the aquatic centre for the last three years, continuing a family tradition in the industry.

Basic entry fees will be $6 for adults, $4.50 for children and concession cardholders.

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Mr O'Rourke said while such facilities traditionally ran at a loss, a business case forecast a doubling in usage to 220,000 people annually.

"We looked at other facilities designed and built by DWP and the comments universally were that usage increased," he said.

"Because of the array of pools, the gym, cafe and its connection to the park, there are so many opportunities to attract people."

While the first tenders were over the council budget, Mr O'Rourke said FDC had refined the design to achieve savings but still include the gym and hydrotherapy pool. In the process, local subcontractors were used.

"The result is a credit to them," he said.

FDC general manager Ben Van Dijk said the company "never sacrificed on quality."

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"It's the sixth aquatic centre we've built and we wanted to achieve the best value for money and provide a world class facility at a competitive price. I think we've done that," he said.

"It's great for the swim club and the community. Projects like this are always special because they leave a legacy to the community."

Community members, Scott Cooper and Christine Wright, who were members of a working party who gave input into the design, also gave the complex their stamp of approval.

The project's next stage, a $15m upgrade of the 50m outdoor pool, is dependent on funding.

On Friday afternoon, the council threw open the aquatic centre's doors to the community, offering free entry for the day.

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