TRC joins Australian Government to open 16 pool, park projects

Spring school holidays have coincided perfectly with the opening of 16 pool and park upgrade projects across the Toowoomba region.

Toowoomba Region Mayor Peter Taylor today (Monday, September 26) joined Queensland Senator Claire Moore to officially open the projects at the redeveloped Oakey Aquatic Centre.

All projects were funded through the Australian Government's Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program (RLCIP).

On behalf of council, Cr Taylor thanked Senator Moore for the Federal Government's $1.525 million funding package to improve recreation facilities across the region.

Cr Taylor said this was complemented by council's $893,000 contribution.

"These funds have enabled council to upgrade park and pool facilities around the region for residents' enjoyment and recreation," Cr Taylor said.

"All facilities are sure to be well patronised, especially with the warmer months to follow.

"As well as being social communal hubs, the parks and pools offer facilities for people of all ages to enjoy a range of fitness regimes.

"Oakey and Milne Bay aquatic centres were in need of some upgrades, particularly with combined visitor numbers around 430,000 per year.

"Apart from being a great place to cool off on a hot day, the pools host learn-to-swim classes, remedial and rehabilitation exercise facilities and other exercise classes."

Upgrades to Oakey and Milne Bay Aquatic Centres totalled $1.550 million. The Australian Government's funds ($757,000) were dedicated to reflooring Milne Bay's indoor swimming pool concourse and upgrading Oakey's pool structure and concourse. Council contributed $793,000 to the pool projects.

New wet decks at the pools offer a safer surrounding surface and the fibre tech material requires minimal maintenance.

Other work at Oakey Aquatic Centre, which originally opened 44 years ago, covered separating the filtration of the toddlers' pool to improve water quality and hygiene as well as circulation and drainage upgrades.

At Milne Bay Aquatic Centre, improvements were made to the crèche, aerobics, cardio room and gym area, bathrooms and change rooms, entry, walkways, program pool and first aid room.

Cr Taylor said swimmers would enjoy top-class facilities with major improvements to the pools as well as the children's wading pool at Oakey.

Cultural, Heritage and Facilities portfolio leader Cr Ros Scotney said Oakey residents' patience was rewarded with the long-awaited opening of the revamped facility.

Cr Scotney said the project greatly improved health and safety features at the pool.

"Oakey now boasts a state-of-the-art aquatic facility that can cater for a growing community," Cr Scotney said.

"It is important regional towns have access to top class sporting facilities where residents, particularly young people, can be active."  

The Oakey pool was one of nine pools in the region to receive earlier RLCIP funds as part of the Sustainable Pools Project delivered with the federal government.

Oakey earlier received $330,000 from the $2.9m regional project to improve energy and water-saving measures.

In total, $868,000 was spent upgrading the 14 parks, of which the Australian Government contributed $768,000 with council adding $100,000.

Park projects include:

• Collingwood Park, Darling Heights (playground, shelter and planting)
• Snapdragon Park, Middle Ridge (playground and shelter)
• Jacquelyn Court Park, Oakey (shelter, pathway and planting)
• Webb Park, East Toowoomba (slide)
• Waterbird Habitat, Rangeville (installation of boardwalk platform)
• Laurel Bank Park, Toowoomba (two projects: electrical upgrade to the park and installation of a fibreglass liner to the pond in the scented garden to stop it leaking).
• Westbrook Hall Park, Harristown (playground)
• Sister Kenny Park, Nobby (septic system upgrade)
• Factory Dam Millmerran, (playground)
• Memorial Park and Drover's Rest, Cooyar (installation of sails structure and under-surfacing for skate equipment, treatment system)
• Rotaract Park, Pittsworth (playground)
• Millmerran Recreation Reserve (upgrade of field lighting)
• Memorial Park, Cambooya, (playground)

Caption: Senator Claire Moore with Toowoomba Region Mayor Peter Taylor at the opening of the Oakey Aquatic Centre upgrade, which was one of 16 pool and park projects funded through the Australian Government's Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program.