Shire laps up grant

Wagin can look forward to an all-new swimming experience after receiving a grant of $7500 for a new community project.

The Wagin Memorial Swimming Pool will receive pool blankets, while the learn-to-swim pool will be heated with a solar heating system.

The project has been made possible by a State Government grant delivered through the Community Sporting and Recreation Facilities Fund.

Shire of Wagin deputy chief executive Brian Roderick said the town had received several community requests for heating in the learn-to-swim pool.

“The kids’ pool doesn’t have any blankets and is covered by shade sails, so it can get quite cold,” he said.

“During swimming lessons at the start and end of the season young kids have found the water to be a bit cool.

“We have been looking at doing this for several years and now we’ve been able to obtain funding it can become a reality.”

Mr Roderick said the project was scheduled to go ahead next year.

“It will make the community’s swimming experience more enjoyable and the kids will be able to use their pool a lot more because they’ll enjoy being in the water,” he said.

The Shire of Pingelly was also successful through the CSRFF, receiving a grant of more than $15,000 for two new cricket nets at the recreation and cultural centre.

Shire of Pingelly chief executive Julie Burton said the town had been without cricket nets for the past year.

“The previous nets were in need of major repairs and were removed as a part of the Pingelly Recreation and Cultural Centre development,” she said. “The new nets will provide a permanent facility for batting and bowling practice.

“This facility will allow for all-year use and complement the fantastic recreational precinct that has been developed.”

Agricultural Region MLC Laurie Graham said the CSRFF aimed to increase participation in sport and recreation by helping build well-designed and well-used facilities for grassroots sporting organisations around WA.