The decision was made at the monthly council meeting on Monday night where it gained full support from the nine councillors present.

The greater majority will come as capital funding with $480,000 allocated. Council’s Community Enhancement Plan contributions will make up a further $400,000 while $100,000 will come from the Revolving Energy Fund for the installation of a solar heating system and $50,000 as part of the master planning budget.

Once complete the facility will be much more than a pool but rather a recreational and fitness centre.

Deputy Mayor and Chair of the Muswellbrook Sports and Recreation Committee Jeff Drayton said the new facility would be of great value to the community.

“This is an important investment by the council in the future of the pool complex,” he said.

“It will allow council to explore a range of capital projects which include a fitness centre, modern change room facilities, foyer and office space, an interactive water park for young children and stage two of the solar heating retrofit.”

Muswellbrook Shire Council Mayor Martin Rush was also happy to see councillors support the resolution for improvements to the facility.

“This funding will complete work that should have been undertaken when the pool was constructed in 2002,” he said.

It will also make the pool more financially sustainable by allowing the pool to cater to the wider health and fitness market, to young children, and to both the able and enabled in our community. It will also allow the pool to achieve better energy and cost savings.

Concerns had been raised when the opening hours at the pool were reduced and Mr Rush said that he took personal responsibility for the lack of communication that had occurred in the last 12 months regarding the changes.

“The community has been very patient during the last twelve months. The savings and anticipated savings generated from the changes to the pool’s opening hours have allowed the council to approve the capital funding now proposed for the pool.”