Latrobe Valley Express Thursday 25 March 2021

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THURSDAY, 25 MARCH, 2021

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By MICHELLE SLATER

THE long-awaited $57 million Gippsland Regi gional i Aquatic Centre is throwing open its doors to the public today y, allowing g locals to take a dip in state-of-the-art swimming facilities. The centre was offi ficially i opened on Tuesday morning with Regi gional i Development Minister Mary-An Anne n Thomas was in town to cut the ribbon. The all-abilities centre features a 50-metre indoor pool with seating for 500 spectators, a 25-metre heated outdoor pool, a splash park, water slides, a spa and sauna, gym and wellbeing area. The modern swimming centre is thermally heated through a 600-metre deep aquifer taking advantage of 65-degr gree r groundwater, grr which will cut running costs and carbon footprint. GRAC will also be able to host top-class

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swimming carnivals, luring big events and elite athletes to compete in the regi gion. i Construction provided 500 jobs and the centre is also providing 150 ongoing jobs in the regio ion. Ms Thomas said the new centre was a “gr great r moment for the Latrobe Valley” after the state government had contributed $47 million towards the project. “This is a project driven by the community. Wh When h you have something of this standard built in a community, it projects pride of the people who live in the community,” Ms Thomas said. “We are extremely pleased to have helped make the community’s vision a reality - it will be a great grr asset for the Valley.” The new centre was a culmination of a decades-long dream from local residents and the Traralgon Community Development Association to replace the town’s ageing outdoor pool.

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Traralgon resident Joanne Campbell was at the opening sayi ying i it was “overw rwhelming” w after having spent years rigorously lobbying the state government and local council to get it built. The offi ficial i opening also featured a demonstration race with the Traralgon Swimming Club, with member Molly Cargi gill i saying she was looking forw rward w to being able to compete locally. “Wh When h I first fii came in here, it was just wow! It’s something for Traralgon, it’s amazing to have something to use. This is something phenomenal that everyone should experience,” Ms Cargi gill i said. Latrobe City Mayor Sharon Gibson acknowledged the support from the state government and hard campaign gning n from the community. “This world class centre puts Latrobe City firmly fii in the spotlight when it comes to swimming and leisure facilities, major

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aquatic events, use of geothermal energy and stands as a testament to community spirit,” Cr Gibson said. Traralgon Swimming Club senior coach Brian Ford said the club had been campaignning for the past 40 years to get a new indoor swimming pool in the regi gion. i Mr Ford said the closest 50-metre indoor pool was 120 kilometres away at Fountain Gate, meaning club members had to leave the area to train or compete. He said GRA RAC A would also be good for other sporting disciplines as a place for recovery and cross-training. “This is what the regi gion i needs. To have the funding finally fii become available and have this generational facility is terrifi fic, i and it will attract people to the regi gion,” i Mr Ford said. “It’s a great grr asset to the community with opportunities to spend the afternoon there in this huge facility, it’s great grr for kids and adults. This is terrifi fic.” i

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