Central Highlands Regional Council will begin demolition of the old Blackwater Pool structure in MacKenzie Street.
The old 50-metre pool will be demolished to below ground level and filled in. Old change rooms, the kiosk, the pump house and associated equipment will also be demolished.
General Manager Communities Daniel Fletcher said the works will see the old pool turn into a grassed parkland for the time being.
‘Demolition includes isolating all electrical supply and disposal of residual treated water, pipework and filtration equipment in an approved location,’ he said.
‘We’ll then add a layer of good quality topsoil and seed it with grass.
‘Once completed the area from the concrete concourse in front of the new changes rooms to the MacKenzie Street fence will be grassed parkland.’
It’s essential to note that the following items on the site will not be disturbed:
- The consecrated ground and memorial plaques in the area.
- The new kiosk, manager’s office, toilets, change rooms on the western side accessed from Wey Street.
- The barbecue and associated shade shelter.
- The covered area structure at the southern end of the old 50-metre pool.
- The bottle tree at the northern end of the site.
The works will be carried out by contractor Busby House Removals and are expected to be completed mid-July.
Council will be conducting community consultation and planning to decide what the future of the old pool site will be in the long term.