Townsville City Council has awarded a $5 million construction contract to local company Jackson Semler to replace the Northern Beaches modular steel framed pool with a new concrete pool with tile finish.
Acting Mayor Mark Molachino said the new pool would serve residents for decades to come.
“The current pool was initially built in 2008 during the early stages of the area’s residential development,” Cr Molachino said.
“The original pool design and construction has now reached the end of its useful life. This gives us an opportunity to deliver something even better, which is why it will be replaced with a design that meets regional competition standards.
“This will mean local, regional and state swimming titles and competitions could potentially be held at the pool, providing another activation and economic opportunity for the Townsville region.
“Contractors will also replace the shade sails, update the changing rooms and repaint all external structures.”
Member for Thuringowa Aaron Harper said Townsville City Council had received $19.5 million in funding under the 2021-24 Works for Queensland Program, including $5 million for the pool reconstruction.
“This is another great project for our community that is being delivered through the partnership between the Queensland Government and Townsville City Council,” Mr Harper said.
“This funding also provides an economic stimulus to our local economy and is important in helping our economy recover from COVID-19.
“The $19.5 million from the 2021-24 Works for Queensland (W4Q) program is in addition to $83 million awarded to Council in three earlier rounds of W4Q and one round of COVID W4Q funding.
“The previous four rounds have so far supported 1,751 jobs, with the latest round forecast to support a further 137 jobs.”
Cr Molachino said this was the second significant pool redevelopment for Council within the last few years following the Tobruk Memorial Bath’s redevelopment in 2020, which was also undertaken by Jackson Semler.
“Townsville residents love being able to escape the heat and utilise the region’s community pools, which is why Council is committed to ensuring they meet the region’s needs.
“With the Olympic games coming to Queensland in 2032, updating infrastructure like pools will ensure Council helps to support the next generation of local swimming talent,” Cr Molachino said.
The Northern Beaches Leisure Centre pool redevelopment is funded under the Queensland Government’s Works for Queensland program.
Construction is scheduled to finish before the end of the year, weather permitting.
