All up the Lockhart Shire Council has announced a spend of more than $1,536,000 which includes new swimming pools at Lockhart and The Rock. Some of this money has already been spent and facilities completed and others are yet to take shape. 

On Friday morning a spend of $345,000 for the Lockhart Recreation Ground amenities building upgrade was announced. This was quickly followed by the opening of the new  amenities building and gym at The Rock swimming pool.

Parliamentary Secretary to the deputy prime minister and Southern NSW Bronnie Taylor was in the eastern Riverina to officially open the amenities block at The Rock along with Lockhart Shire Council mayor Rodger Schirmer and council’s director of engineering David Webb.

Cr Schirmer commended his team and said they had successfully completed important projects on time and were able to secure valuable funding for the shire.

He said the new sporting facilities were a boon to the region and combined well with the popular bike track and exercise equipment which had been built earlier.

Cr Schirmer said the flood mitigation work for The Rock was on track and the region was becoming a popular location for people who worked in nearby Wagga.

Mrs Taylor commended the shire on their work. She said what was in fact more important than the initial monetary spend was the fact these facilities would unite the community.

“Young mums will come here to the pool, and catch up with their friends and share stories and advice,” she said.

She identified the sporting upgrades as something that was ultimately valuable for the mental health of people in this region.

Mrs Taylor said just getting together and enjoying the company of others and being active was priceless.