Shire releases $4 million pool plan

NEW designs for a multi-million-dollar rebuild of Winchelsea Pool are on public display.

Surf Coast Shire Council has released a concept design that received approval from a community reference group.

The plan involves replicating the current main pool and providing a larger medium pool, with graduated depth and an adjacent splash park for children.

Both pools would be heated, but the type of heating systems are yet to be confirmed.

A new entrance and main building, which would include a kiosk, storage, change rooms and other amenities are in planning, along with surrounding shade and barbecue areas.

The design would also flip the pool’s orientation, with entry from Barwon Terrace at the south-eastern corner and the main pool at the far end of the layout.

Plans also retain an adventure playground behind the new main building. The selected plans follow presentation of three options from the council to a community reference group of 60 members.

The council had opened a blank-canvas submissions project late last year to get community input on their needs for the pool and to guide its designs.

It identified the pool project as a priority for Winchelsea, where ageing facilities had not received a major upgrade since opening in 1963 and had become a financially unsustainable asset.

The council said the project would require a full rebuild of the pool.

It is yet to decide on a construction timeline for the pool revamp, but has indicated building would not start until after next summer at the earliest.

The shire’s latest draft budget allocated $4.3 million for the project over the next two financial years.

Feedback on the concept design is open until next Thursday, May 12.