Wareena Park plans going ahead

SWAN Street's former Olympic Pool and buildings will be demolished later this month and the area will become parkland, ending the long coming and sometimes divisive aquatic transformation for the city. Council made moves in 2015 to decommission the Yarrunga and Olympic pools in a bid to build a state of the art aquatic facility in one location at Wangaratta's Barr Reserve. Some six years later it has come to realisation, via a few speed bumps along the way, including three missed attempts at federal funding, and objections and anger from sections of the Wangaratta community who argued passionately to keep the former aquatic facilities. But with the plan, came the realisation and establishment of a recreation area on Yarrunga's Mitchell Avenue near the former site of the Yarrunga pool. The latest is the creation of a multi-generational place for all at Wareena Park at the site of the former Olympic pool with works to commence next month. Following extensive public consultation in 2020 the Rural City of Wangaratta is bringing the Wareena Park Masterplan to life by finalising designs for both the sports pavilion and community building – making these projects shovel-ready for when funding becomes available. To help prepare for these new developments the former Olympic Pool and associated buildings will be demolished. A history board in the new community building will help commemorate the Olympic Pool and council is encouraging people to send in photos with memories of the site via council’s website www.wangaratta.vic.gov.au or by email to council@wangaratta.vic.gov.au. Council’s director infrastructure services Marcus Goonan said there was both nostalgia about the Olympic Pool and excitement from a number of community groups about what the future holds. “Our senior citizens, junior sporting clubs and other user groups deserve facilities that fit their needs,” he said. “Over the next month our architects will be meeting with the groups who will use the two new buildings to make sure the designs are suitable. “Once those designs are finalised and the Olympic Pool is demolished council will have clear costings and be in a strong position to attract funding for each of the buildings.” Demolition works will run for about 16 weeks. Designs for the new buildings will be shared with the community over the coming months.

Wareena Park plans going ahead

Wangaratta Chronicle, Wednesday, August 26, 2026

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