18 Mar 2016 Wangaratta Chronicle, Wangaratta VIC (General News) by Simone Kerwin Skerwinr Ne Com Au State delivers $1.5m for hydrotherapy pool, bolstering $4.4m bid for outdoor pool A NEW hydrotherapy pool will be built at the Wangaratta Indoor Sports and Aquatic Centre (WISAC), following yesterdays announcement of $ 1.5 million in State Government funding. Jaclyn Symes (MLC, Northern Victoria) visited WISAC to deliver the news, which also lends weight to the Rural City of Wangarattas renewed bid for $4.4 million from the Federal Government for a new 50 metre outdoor pool at WISAC. The hydrotherapy pool is stage two of the rural citys $ 14.6m aquatics strategy, and involves development of a warm water pool complete with ramp for easy access and nearby change facilities. It will be constructed adjacent to the existing pool area using the Community Sports Infrastructure Grant announced yesterday, as well as a $2 million contribution from councils overall commitment of $7.5m to the aquatics strategy. Ms Symes said the project would benefit the whole community, from beginner swimmers through to seasoned athletes and the elderly. Rural city director of community wellbeing, Jaime Carroll, said she received weekly calls about the need for an additional hydrotherapy pool in Wangaratta, particularly for the citys ageing population. Ms Carroll said the delivery of the State Government funding for the project was a big tick towards securing the Federal Government funds. This positions us to be much more competitive for the federal funding, Ms Carroll said. Continued page 2 State delivers $1.5m funding for hydrotherapy pool, bolstering $4.4m bid for outdoor pool development From front page Rural city chief executive officer Brendan McGrath agreed, saying council was not disheartened when it missed out on funding for the 50m pool in round two of the Federal Governments National Stronger Regions program in December, and was hopeful of good news in May. Were really confident, he said. The feedback we received was that last time we fell just three points short of receiving the funding, and we had good feedback on how to strengthen the application, so weve spent time and energy on doing that. Ms Symes said the receipt of State Government funding for the hydrotherapy pool would put the pressure on the Federal Government to support the renewed funding application. Ill certainly be sending a letter confirming my support for the funding application, she said. Yesterdays funding announcement was part of $2 million in upgrades delivered to the rural city, with the Wangaratta Lawn Tennis Club and Boorhaman Tennis Club sharing in $95,000 in funding. Both will undertake lighting projects, while Wangarattas Merriwa Park courts will receive new nets, and the Boorhaman courts will be resurfaced. Caption Text: CASH SPLASH: Jaclyn Symes (MLC Northern Victoria) with young swimmers Peyton Robinson, Lily Leslie, Bowie Isaac and teacher Jenny Gray in the existing hydrotherapy pool at the Wangaratta Indoor Sports and Aquatic Centre. PHOTO: Luke Plummer Copyright Agency licensed copy (www.copyright.com.au)