CONSTRUCTION of the Gunnedah Memorial Pool renewal project has been delayed by four-weeks.
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An update of the project’s progress was presented to councillors at Wednesday’s June council meeting which outlined the need for the projects completion date to be extended.
When construction commenced in October last year, an expected completion date of October 2018 was predicted by council and construction contractors Hines Construction.
It is understood additional remediation work on the basement of the main pavilion and the consequential impacts on the construction program have lead to the contractor seeking an extension of 29 working days to the original completion date.
The new completion date for the project is now expected to be November 22 this year.
Cr Ann Luke told the council meeting she supported the project.
“It’s disappointing that we have hit these obstacles,” Cr Luke said.
“But, I feel as a council we are in for the long haul with this very important project.
“So I feel that we should support this motion for additional time and funding for the project.”
As well as an extension of time, councillors also voted to approve the allocation of $200,000 from council’s unrestricted general fund to go towards current variations to the renewal project.
Deputy mayor Gae Swain threw her support behind the motion at the meeting.
“I’m sure like challenges like this occur in these kinds of projects,” Cr Swain said.
“So I think it is important for us to support this motion to ensure this vital community project continues to progress.
“I for one can’t wait for the first splash in the pool this summer, because this much needed project has been a long time coming.”
The discussion at Wednesday’s council meeting follows the project reaching a major milestone earlier in the week.
Works to the main pavilion reached a vital stage on Tuesday morning as the first concrete was poured for the new facility’s base.
Follow the story of the pool upgrade so far:
- Gunnedah pool upgrade reaches halfway point | Photos & Video
- Further funds needed for pool upgrade project | Photos
- Gunnedah Memorial Pool enters next stage of construction | Photos
- Pool project caught between a rock and a-hard place
- Demolition of Gunnedah Memorial Pool complete | Gallery
- Share your memories of the pool | Flashback gallery
- Demolition work begins
- Works start with sod-turning
- Works set to begin
- Pool upgrade to get under way
- Works could turn on pool by end of 2017
Four concrete trucks were on hand on Tuesday morning, with the concrete works for the pavilion’s base to be complete in the coming days.
Concrete works to the facility’s new plant room will then follow and are expected to be complete later in the month.
Project manager Mike Silver told the Namoi Valley Independent that works on the new 50-metre pool were progressing.
“We’re hopeful of filling the 50-metre pool in the coming weeks for the purposes of stress testing the concrete,” he said.