Council votes for new pool

Hedland will get a new swimming pool.

The Town of Port Hedland council has agreed to reduce services at the Gratwick and South Hedland pools for the next three years to help fund the building of a new facility.

The decision was made at last week’s ordinary council meeting with a large number of people watching on.

Hedland Waterpolo Association treasurer Scott Gerhardt said the club was looking forward to the future after hearing a guarantee from the council all sporting clubs would be consulted during the process.

“We’ve got some guarantees ... that neither of the pools will close and we’ll have a venue to play our sport right up until the new facility opens,” he said.

“The future of our sport is very secure for the time being.”

The South Hedland Aquatic Centre will open between April and September, while the Gratwick Aquatic Centre will open between October and March.

Town chief executive David Pentz said the new pool would be a part of the next stage of the Wanangkurra Stadium upgrades.

While the master plan of the next stage in the expansion has not been completed, Mr Pentz said all water sports and clubs would be consulted during the process.

Mr Gerhartd said the new facility would making delivering the sport easier. “At the end of the day we’re potentially getting a fit-for-purpose facility that suits the needs of the town with a lower operating cost,” he said.

It is estimated reducing the existing two pools’ opening months will save the Town $2.4 million in repair costs and $500,0000 a year in operating costs.