Upgraded Hervey Bay pool reopening next month

The Hervey Bay Aquatic Centre’s 25-metre pool will welcome swimmers once again in mid-October, following extensive upgrades including a new enclosure and flooring.

Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour and Member for Hervey Bay Adrian Tantari visited the centre today to inspect progress on the stage 1A upgrade, which began in March this year.

Cr Seymour said the Hervey Bay Aquatic Centre had been a community cornerstone since it opened in 1988.

“The aquatic centre is a popular place for locals and visitors to relax, exercise and socialise, with these upgrades designed to meet the community’s needs well into the future.,” he said.

The stage 1A upgrade includes:

• A new enclosure and flooring for the 25-metre pool;
• Upgraded lighting;
• A new first aid/lifeguard station;
• New toilets and changerooms;
• Increased storage space and an upgraded plant room; and
• A new backwash and chlorine spill tanks in the service yard.

“The enclosure and flooring work is almost finished, with the 25-metre pool set to reopen on Monday, 14 October. All stage 1A works are due to be finished by November.

“The upgrades are focused on improving the aquatic centre's safety and reliability, ensuring it meets modern standards.”

Member for Hervey Bay Adrian Tantari said the Miles Government invested more than $3.5 million towards the $4.1 million project through its Local Government Grants and Subsidies program.

“I’m delighted that stage 1A of the project will be ready in time for the community and visitors alike to enjoy as summer approaches,” Mr Tantari said.

“Substantially funded by the Queensland Government, the pool upgrade is a great example of the benefits of our Local Government Grants and Subsidies program which provides better facilities for communities to enjoy while also giving employment opportunities to locals.”

Cr Seymour said tenders for stage 1B of the Hervey Bay Aquatic Centre upgrade would be called shortly, with work expected to begin in early 2025 and wrap up by mid to late 2025.

“The next stage will bring exciting new features, including an interactive splashpad in the toddler pool, new shade structures and floodlights for the 50-metre pool,” he said.

“We’ll also be widening the concourse, upgrading the pipework and installing a new activity tower and wet play equipment.

“The Aquatic Centre team will work to minimise the impact on the public and ensure the 50-metre pool can stay open as much as possible during the next stage of work.

“The lagoon pool will remain closed until the completion of the stage 1B upgrades, and we thank the community for their continued patience while this work is carried out.

“Council is committed to effectively managing and maintaining our assets and planning for the future, and that’s what this project is all about.”