A NEW children’s splash pad at Halls Gap swimming pool received a work-out at the weekend.
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Pool owner Ian Leithhead said more than 280 adults and 170 children attended the pool during Saturday’s heatwave.
It was the first weekend the splash pad had been open.
“It covers about the same area as your average 25-metre swimming pool,” he said.
Popular features include animal figurines imported from America, which spurt out water over a sealed sports surface, and tipping buckets.
The splash pad is covered by a shade canopy.
“We’ve still got a bit of fiddling to do,” Mr Leithhead said.
“We need to get the electronics in it.”
But he said the families who visited the pool at the weekend had a ball.
“Pool co-manager Blanche Wookey and I have been running the pool for about 22 years now,” he said.
“In about the second year, Blanche said the pool needed a splash pad for the kids.
“It’s taken us 20 years to finally get it.”
An official opening ceremony will be arranged later this year.
Mr Leithhead estimated the project had cost about $150,000, with some contribution from Northern Grampians Shire Council.
The development included resurfacing the area surrounding a small children’s pool.
Northern Grampians Mayor Kevin Erwin said the new pool features would benefit the Halls Gap community and the municipality.
Council commissioned a new toilet block near the pool early in 2013.
Cr Erwin said the amenities opened around the same time as the splash pad.
“To my knowledge there is still a little bit of stonework to do, but it is progressing well,” he said.
With the second stage of development in the town’s central hub due to be finished later this year, Cr Erwin said visitors would see further changes in the heart of Halls Gap.
“Halls Gap is the jewel in the crown of the municipality,” Cr Erwin said.
Northern Grampians Shire Council has a vision of Halls Gap as a tourist resort town.