Grants given to maintain public pools

Seven local pools have been awarded thousands in funding by a State Government Royalties for Regions program to improve country pool facilities and services.

In the latest round of the Community Pool Revitalisation Program, $32,000 was awarded to each of the following: Vic Hayton Memorial Swimming Pool in Tom Price; Quentin Broad Swimming Pool in Paraburdoo; Paltridge Memorial Pool in Exmouth; the Karratha Leisureplex pool; Wickham Aquatic Centre and Roebourne Aquatic Centre.

Onslow Water Spray Park was also granted $10,000.

The Pilbara pools are among 95 pools or water playgrounds across WA to receive a combined $2.92 million in funding from the program, which is intended to be used for infrastructure and equipment upgrades, maintenance, staff development and reduced pool entry costs.

Regional Development Minister Terry Redman said pools were centres of community life in regional WA and investing in their improvement made country towns more attractive places to live and work.

“In regional areas, community pools help people of all ages keep active as well as staying connected to their local community,” he said.