20 Sept 2007 - Orara Valley Pool Close To Opening

The new Orara Valley Community Pool at Nana Glen is expected to be open for this year's summer season following the awarding of a ten-year lease.

"Calling this new facility a 'community pool' is no accident as it simply wouldn't have happened without the support of the local and wider community," said Coffs Harbour Mayor, Councillor Keith Rhoades.

"So far, around 50 individuals, families and trades people have donated funds, materials, time and expertise to making this valuable facility a reality and the list of sponsors continues to grow, with the committee receiving offers of help and support on a regular basis. 

"Clearly the need for a safe pool in which children from the Orara Valley area can learn to swim and improve their skills was one recognised by many, many people," he said.

The 25-metre, seven-lane pool has been built on a site adjacent to the grounds of Nana Glen Public School, but will be available for use by members of the public from across the Orara Valley and wider area as well as students from all local schools. 

In June the pool itself was finished and filled with water while work continued on the rest of the project. Since then, the amenities block has been fully fitted out, the power is on, the pool's concrete surrounds are now finished, the turf is down and most of the landscaping has been completed.

Work is continuing on the pavilion over the tank and the carpark, which is now only awaiting its tarmac seal.

Six Expressions of Interest were received after the lease was advertised and it has been awarded to a local operator.

The pool is expected to be open from September to April every year in the future.

Coffs Harbour City Council has contributed $139,000 to the building of the pool along with $200,000 from a Nana Glen family, $200,000 from the NSW Department of Sport and Recreation and $250,000 from the Federal Government's Regional Partnerships scheme.