Underbool Swimming Pool Upgrade Community Success Story
The close-knit Underbool community is celebrating a major breakthrough, securing funding for much needed upgrades for its public swimming pool after partnering with Mildura Rural City Council to successfully apply for more than $1.1 million in Victorian Government funding.
Combined with Council’s contribution, the funding announcement will pave the way for a suite of major upgrades to what local residents have described as “Underbool’s most significant asset”.
Underbool Pool Advisory Committee member Sonia McVicar said securing the funding was a “huge accomplishment”.
“We’ve been working closely with Council on the planning for this project for the past 10 years and to have it finally come to fruition is extraordinary and will guarantee the viability of our community pool well into the future,” Mrs McVicar said.
“The response from the community to this announcement has been huge, everyone is overwhelmed.”
Councillor for Sports and Recreation Glenn Milne said the works would include a combination of major upgrades to the swimming pool structure and operational equipment, as well as several new additions to improve accessibility.
Works include but are not limited to:
“The pool in its current state was simply not sustainable. It had essentially reached its end-of-life after almost 50 years and needed major upgrades to remain open,” Cr Milne said.
“These works will ensure the Underbool community can enjoy this incredibly valuable piece of public infrastructure for decades to come.
“Importantly, it will mean Underbool residents can continue to take advantage of all the benefits the pool provides, and there are plenty.
“It’s a source of relief from the heat during the summer months as well as a source of physical activity for all residents, from children through to the elderly.
“You only need to look at how often the pool is used to get an understanding of the critical role it plays in the community.
“Royal Life Saving Australia data tells us that the average Australian visits an aquatic facility 4.4 times a year. Underbool residents visit their pool on average 14.4 times – so well over three times the national average.”
Mildura Mayor Helen Healy highlighted the important role the Underbool community played in securing the Victorian Government funding.
“This really is a community success story and shows what can be achieved by working hand-in-hand with our residents,” the Mayor said.
“Both the Council report we endorsed in February this year to apply for the funding, and the funding application we submitted to the Victorian Government included testimonials and letters of support from the Underbool community, from the youngest residents through to community leaders, which was amazing to see.
“For me, this community success story also shows us how much we have to be proud of when it comes to our municipality’s outlying towns.
“These residents stepped up, and working side-by-side with Council staff, have made this happen, and it’s something we see happen over and over again in our more remote communities.”
The Underbool Swimming Pool upgrade is funded through the Victorian Government’s Regional Community Sports Infrastructure Fund – Indoor Stadiums and Aquatic Facilities stream.
The upgrade will be delivered over the coming two years – during off-peak periods to ensure the pool can still be used during the summer months by the community.
Long-time Underbool resident and Mildura Rural City Councillor Greg Brown was a member of the original committee that established the pool in the 1970s, and has advocated strongly for upgrades to the pool over the past decade.
“Underbool’s swimming pool is a wonderful centre point for the town, and I’m told the proportion of swimmers per head of population is very high here,” Cr Brown said.
“I was fortunate to have swam in the pool on the first day it opened and this upgrade and investment in the town is a wonderful boost for the community, it really is something special.”
Quotes from Underbool Pool Advisory Committee member Sonia McVicar
“It’s the only body of water for Underbool within 50 kilometres – the closest is the Ouyen Lake.
“The accessibility improvements are vitally important given we have an older community.
“To have that increased access to get in and out of the pool safely thanks to the ramps that will be installed means they can participate in water exercises without having to negotiate the steps to get into the pool.
“Equally importantly, to have the new all-abilities toilet will provide an increase in accessibility for our older residents, which is another improvement.
“This increased accessibility won’t just help our older residents, the accessibility ramp down into the water will be great for younger children learning to swim, as we have a lot of school students doing swimming lessons.”
Mrs McVicar said the pool also served a broader purpose as a community meeting point and a source of mental health support.
“During the harvest months in November and December a lot of our farmers are out working harvesting more than 14 hours a day and during those times the pool serves as the meeting point and focus for social engagement for families,” she said.
“It also serves as the location for our Australia Day celebrations each year with the pool open to the community and a barbecue each year.”
https://www.mildura.vic.gov.au/Latest-News/Underbool-Swimming-Pool-upgrade-a-community-success-story