Old pool to be reinvented

THE swamp beside Faith Leech Aquatic Centre is getting a major overhaul.

Fenced off since the 1980s and home to a variety of water birds and rodents, work has started on a $3 million project that will see the old swimming hole turned into an “attractive urban park.”

Once known as the Bendigo Municipal Baths, the overhaul will include a looping pathway and boardwalk that’ll be open to the community.

“Originally more than twice its current size, the former Bendigo Municipal Baths facility once featured change rooms, training infrastructure, jetties and a grandstand,” said Brian Westley, the City’s director of presentation and assets.

“Over time, the old infrastructure was removed, and the site was fenced off to the public in the 1980s.

All funding for the project is coming from the City of Greater Bendigo, with works also including stabilisation of the dam wall and water quality improvements, removal of the current cyclone fence and the addition of seating, lights, a picnic shelter, and landscaping.

“This is an exciting project that will renew the site with new infrastructure and open an area of land that is currently not accessible to the public for the enjoyment of the wider community,” Mr Westley said.

“It is also a key action of the 2014 Rosalind Park Masterplan which recommends opening-up and restoring the site for community use.

“Preliminary works have commenced and have involved dewatering the water body and removal of low-value and weed species vegetation.

“Upcoming works will include the removal of the island and de-sludging works.”

Works are expected to be complete by the end of next year.