A Kyabram ratepayers’ group is rallying for a heated pool next to the Kyabram Showgrounds stadium. Pictured are group members Joy Chalmers, Sandra Brown and Carl Webster.
Photo by
Jemma Jones
A community group in Kyabram has reignited the push for a new pool after unearthing decades-old council plans that were never implemented.
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The Kyabram Deakin Residents and Ratepayers Development Group has breathed new life into a 30-year-old vision for a heated pool adjacent to the indoor stadium at the Kyabram Showgrounds.
The Kyabram Council originally planned a two-stage development project on council-owned land at the showgrounds.
It included an indoor stadium and a pool.
When the council disbanded and the municipality of Campaspe Shire was created in 1994, the stadium portion of the plans was followed through on, while the proposed pool plans were lost to time, according to the KDRRDG.
Original plans obtained by the group show the basketball courts on the eastern end of the plot of land, while a six-lane 25m pool, toddlers’ pool, spa and sauna were designed to be situated on the western side of the land.
KDRRDG resident Glenn Maddock said the existing pool, which opened in 1953 and is situated next to Jaycee Park on Fenaughty St, was “reaching the end of its useful life”.
Council announced in August that Jaycee Park would undergo redevelopment aimed at rejuvenating the area, and that it was considering upgrades for the pool.
KDRRDG secretary Sandra Brown said there was no better time to support the pool project while community consultation was sought for the Jaycee Park site.
“Kyabram is growing, we’re right on the cusp of a significant population increase, and we should be improving our infrastructure for our future growth,” she said.
“My thinking was that if we relocated the pool from Jaycee Park and built a new pool up at the stadium, this would give us more room at Jaycee Park to develop a nice big recreational area of park and playground.”
Mock designs made by local draftperson Carl Webster of an updated version of the 1994 proposed heated pool plans. The pool would be situated next to the already existing indoor stadium on a small plot of council-owned land.
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Contributed
Local architectural draftsperson Carl Webster, of Webster Designs, recently reviewed and updated the 1994 designs for a sleeker and more modern look to get people excited about the potential of this site.
He used the Wangaratta Aquatic Centre as an example that he looked to before mocking the designs, and kept everything within the original parameters of the site.
“I wanted to show that we can fit all these facilities into the same area,” he said.
This includes a seven-lane pool, a kidney-shaped children’s splash pool, a 160-seat spectator gallery, a café area and additional change rooms.
“It’s a starting point to get the community talking about what is possible and what they can visualise for the town’s future,” Mr Webster said.
The group envisions year-round aquatic access, enhancing Kyabram’s lifestyle and supporting local clubs such as the Kyabram Swimming Club, eliminating the need for its members to travel to Echuca for training when outdoor facilities are closed in the colder months.
Seven of the eight council-owned pools are open only from November to March.
Mrs Brown said the group has been in contact with council, urging council to review the option as part of its future Aquatic Strategy, and ideally a decision to be made before development of the Jaycee Park master plans.
Mr Maddock and Mrs Brown urged residents to take an active role in thinking about Kyabram’s future aquatic services.
“We really need community activism to get this up and running; otherwise nothing will get done,” Mrs Brown said.
Acting director for communities Janelle Wheatley said in 2025, council would be beginning work on a new aquatics strategy to deliver improved aquatic facilities and wet play areas across the shire for the next 15 to 20 years.
She said she had “recently responded” to the KDRRDG in relation to the proposed matter.
“(Council) is committed to working with the Kyabram community to explore viable options and ensure that any new developments respond to the needs and expectations of our residents,” she said.
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