Council to apply for funding to upgrade Kaniva pool

Published on 22 March 2024

West Wimmera Shire Council will apply for funding to upgrade the Kaniva Memorial Swimming Pool, to create a more inclusive and accessible space.

Council agreed at a meeting on Wednesday, to apply for $675,000 from the State Government's Regional Community Sports Infrastructure Fund for the project.

The $900,000 planned upgrades include the installation of a Changing Places facility, along with improvements to changerooms, pathways, and amenities.

These enhancements will cater to a broader range of abilities, making the pool a key community asset that is accessible to everyone.

The decision to include a Changing Places facility in the upgrade plans stemmed from a request received through Council’s Innovation Platform.

This specialised facility provides high-level, all-abilities toilet and changeroom amenities, addressing a crucial need in the community. Currently, the closest Changing Places facilities are in Horsham or Adelaide, making this addition to the Kaniva pool a significant and much-needed improvement.

If the grant application is successful, Council will contribute $225,000 towards the project.

Council Chief Executive Officer David Bezuidenhout said the enhancements would create a more welcoming environment for all community members.

"The decision to include a Changing Places facility in our plans demonstrates our commitment to addressing the needs identified by our community members,” he said.

“The addition of this facility to the Kaniva pool will fill a crucial gap and provide much-needed support for individuals with diverse abilities in our area."

“If we receive this funding, we're confident that we can deliver a project that the whole community can be proud of.”

This project would complement other planned upgrades for the Kaniva pool, including the construction of a new splash park, which Council applied for funding for earlier this year.