Council & Politics
26 January, 2026
Pool to close earlier to make way for next stage of redevelopment
The pool will close for the 2025/26 summer period at close of business on Sunday, February 22 instead of mid to late March.
CONSTRUCTION on the final stage of the $2.57-million St Arnaud Swimming Pool redevelopment will begin in February.
As a result, the pool’s summer season will close slightly earlier than usual to facilitate the works.
Stage one, which included refurbishment of existing change rooms to include upgraded shower and toilet facilities, along with an upgraded administration/first aid and kiosk area, is already complete.
Northern Grampians Shire mayor Karen Hyslop said council leaders, alongside Member for Ripon Martha Haylett, officially opened stage onelast year.
“It looks absolutely fantastic, and we are excited for the St Arnaud community to make the most of these new facilities,” mayor Hyslop said.
Stage two involves structural repairs to the pool, along with resurfacing and compliance upgrades.
It also includes the construction of a new beach-entry ramp to improve accessibility.
Works will also be done to the concourse and surrounds, with the project scope also including additional service installation and underground investigations.
The pool will close for the 2025/26 summer period at close of business on Sunday, February 22 instead of mid to late March.
“While we understand cutting the summer season a little short is not ideal, it will help ensure the entire project is finished in time for the 2026-27 season,” Cr Hyslop said.
“The reason we did not deliver both parts at once was to avoid delays that could have resulted in the pool opening late or not at all this summer.
“This project is a great win for the St Arnaud community, and one council is very excited to see delivered in full.”
Council has awarded the project tender to Hydrilla Commercial Swimming Pools and Aquatics.
The project is being funded by a $1.94 million grant from the State Government’s Regional Community Sports Infrastructure Fund and $650,000 from council.
Cr Hyslop said the project was aligned with the council’s Sport and Recreation Strategy 2024-2034.
“A key element of stage two is a new access ramp to the pool, which will help us to support the health, wellbeing and social inclusion of more of our residents,” she said.
Cr Hyslop said swimming pools were wonderful community assets for people of all ages, with more than 8000 visits to the St Arnaud pool throughout the 2024-25 summer period.
“The redevelopment is part of council’s commitment to ensuring we offer the pool facilities our community needs over the swimming period, beyond casually cooling off after school or on a weekend,” she said.
St Arnaud residents and visitors can enjoy a party by the poolside on Australia Day as the last event on the pool’s 2025/26 summer school holiday program
The event will take place at the pool from 2pm to 5pm next Monday, with promise of music, inflatables, giant games, prizes and more.
If you’d like to keep up with how the works are tracking, visit the Northern Grampians Shire website or look out on council’s social media accounts.
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