Tamworth is dubbed the north west’s big regional centre. But as Tamworth Council continues to talk about pipeline dreams of having its own indoor pool, Narrabri is streaking ahead.
Final testing is being carried out on Narrabri Shire Council’s new indoor aquatic centre, with both pools now filled with water.
“The water is in there, the filtration plant is working for both the indoor pool and outdoor splash pool and now we’re in a three-week period where the subcontractors are testing it all,” said Narrabri Shire Council’s acting director of engineering Graham Macpherson, who has also been the superintendent during the building of the complex.
Mr Macpherson said once the testing is complete, the subcontractors will hand over the complex to Council, which will then be responsible for putting the final touches in place before opening it to the public.
“Signage has been ordered, and the computer system has to be installed for the turnstiles and running of the pool, and landscaping has to be completed by Council,” he said.
“No date is set for the opening, but we’re trying to get it as early as possible, but it’s all depended upon the subcontractor completing his part of the project.”
The testing process of the water takes three weeks, and began a week ago. Once the testing is complete, it will be handed over to Council.
“We have a meeting with the contractor next Tuesday and hopefully we can sort out a lot of the finishing touches,” said Mr Macpherson.
Last week, as Councils across the region closed their outside pools for the winter recess, sporting groups in Tamworth voiced concerns that there was no Council-run indoor pool to use for training during winter.
Narrabri is set to be one of only two towns in this region to have such a facility.
“It’s going to be a tremendous asset,” Mr Macpherson said.