Council consults community on pool plans

Cobar Shire Council held three communi-ty consultation sessions last week inviting locals to have a say in council’s masterplan for future upgrades to the Cobar Memorial Swimming Pool.
Council has received $50,000 in funding to create a masterplan only and, while no funds have yet been allocated to carry out any up-grades, having a “shovel ready” plan will work in council’s favour when applying for further government funding.
Council has brought in architect Stephen Johansson, from the Facility Design Group (who did the design work for the last upgrade to the pool 13 years ago), to design Stage One of the masterplan, a new front entrance to the pool. Well experienced in pool designs, Mr Johansson designed the upgrades at the Young Aquatic Centre, Corowa Aquatic Centre and Wellington Aquatic and Leisure Centre, and suggested that some parts from each of those projects could also be incorporated into Co-bar’s design.
Mr Johansson presented his draft design to the public at the open community sessions last week and took on board the community’s feed-back, more ideas and suggested changes.
Council’s general manager Peter Vlatko said Stage One of the pool’s masterplan needs to have a focus on the ‘must haves’ which in-cludes updating the infrastructure to ensure it meets the required building standards.
A number of residents called for the plan to include an indoor heated pool, to which Mr Vlatko suggested would be very costly and recommended it be left for a later discussion.
Mr Johansson’s vision for Cobar’s new facil-ity was “simple to navigate with a splash of colour to lift it”. He suggested the front exist-ing building be rebuilt with a modern façade and include a new front garden to house the memorial rock which would “attract more out-siders to the precinct”.
Mr Johansson suggested the structure of the 50m pool and learn to swim area “stay as is” and the upgrade focus be on the main entrance building which would house a new kiosk/canteen, offices, storage spaces and amenities (with change tables in both male and female bathrooms and outdoor showers).
The sessions brought a collaborative group of community members together, with a large show of Cobar’s youth making suggestions the plan include the provision of better equipment for competing swimmers, a jumping pillow and a playground area.
“This is an exciting project that will be a great asset for our community,” Mr Vlatko said.—Article compiled by Holly McGuinness, Macleay College journalism student