Council secures funding to improve local facilities

With the region’s pools now closed for the season, Council is getting ready to replace the ageing heat pumps at the Monckton Aquatic Centre, thanks to funding from the Australian Government. 

Armidale Regional Council General Manager James Roncon said the pump upgrade will give pool - goers a more pleasant experience when using the facility.

“Age is getting the better of the current pumps, so it’s important they are replaced to ensure the facility can be used during Spring and Autumn,” he said.

“The new pumps will allow temperatures to be up to three degrees warmer than without heat pumps, meaning we can maintain pool temperatures at 26 degrees.”

The works will be carried out during the pool’s closure over Winter, and were made possible thanks to $350,000 from the Australian Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) funding program.

In addition to funding for the new heat pumps, Council was also successful in receiving $100,000 of LRCI funding to go towards upgrading the Guyra Men’s Shed, and $50,000 to go towards constructing an emergency meeting place for the Lower Creek Community.

“As we’ve seen recently, Lower Creek is a disaster prone area so it is crucial there is an adequate community meeting place for all to go to in times of emergency,” said Mr Roncon.

The construction of the emergency staging facility will include road driveway access, internal access ways, carpark and tiering and drainage of the parcel of lands. The project is still in the planning stage, and concept designs are still being finalised.

Member for New England Barnaby Joyce said these projects all contribute to the overall prosperity of the region.

“I am very happy to be able to fight for and deliver on further funding for Guyra, Armidale and especially the Lower Creek community,” said Mr Joyce.

“Pool pumps or sheds; these smaller projects complement the bigger ones, which we have also delivered.”

Published on 31 Mar 2021