NEW change rooms and an improved enclosure for the Hervey Bay Aquatic Centre 25-metre pool are among the works occurring in the first stage of a long-term upgrade to the centre.

At its meeting on 24 January, Fraser Coast Regional Council resolved to accept the tender from New State Builders for stage 1A of the Hervey Bay Aquatic Centre redevelopment, with work expected to start in early March and be completed by late September this year.

Mayor George Seymour said the Hervey Bay Aquatic Centre was a much-loved community facility, and Council had adopted a master plan to guide the redevelopment of the centre over the next 10 to 15 years.

“The Hervey Bay Aquatic Centre opened in 1988 and the upgrades are designed to cater for our community needs and aspirations over the next 40 to 50 years,” he said.

“The initial works will focus on the 25-metre pool area with new changerooms and a new enclosure, a refurbishment of the existing plant room and a new backwash tank and chlorine spill tank in the service yard.

“This first stage will also lay the groundwork for future stages with the construction of a new lagoon pool plant room and the laying of pipes to service this pool and a future zero depth splash pad, as well as the construction of new chemical storage, a lifeguard station and general storage.”

Cr Jan Hegge said the $4.1 million first stage was partly funded by a $3.557 million Queensland Government grant through the Local Government Grants and Subsidies program.

“We are grateful to the Queensland Government for providing funding to allow Council to move ahead with these important works at the Hervey Bay Aquatic Centre,” she said.

“These upgrades are about improving the aquatic centre’s safety and reliability and ensuring it meets modern standards.

“The works have been timed to occur in the cooler months to minimise the disruption to swimmers.

“How and when future stages of the masterplan roll out will depend on available funding within Council’s budget and what grants are available from other levels of government.”

A copy of the Hervey Bay Aquatic Centre Master Plan is available here - https://frasercoast.engagementhub.com.au/hervey-bay-aquatic-centre-master-plan