Public gets say in $5.9mil Bathers' Pavilion facelift

By Pamela Frost
Updated November 5 2012 - 8:59pm, first published June 16 2009 - 11:13am
An artist's impression of change rooms in the proposed $5.9 million upgrade of the North Beach Bathers' Pavilion.
An artist's impression of change rooms in the proposed $5.9 million upgrade of the North Beach Bathers' Pavilion.

The proposed $5.9 million upgrade for the North Beach Bathers' Pavilion is being put to the test with the public given a chance to voice opinions.More than 150 residents attended a community kiosk on Saturday to view the plans and ask questions about the refurbishment, Wollongong City Council public relations manager Susan Wardle said."So far we have had overwhelming interest in the plans and we look forward to hearing more from the community about this iconic local building." The proposal for the 71-year-old pavilion includes a cafe, lockers, change rooms, toilets, showers and lifeguard facilities.It will mark the end of decades of struggle to have the site refurbished, including the controversial plans put forward by developer Frank Vellar in 2004.In 2007 the NSW Heritage Council rejected Mr Vellar's proposal. In 2008 the Independent Commission Against Corruption found he had bribed three city councillors to support his plans, putting an end to the potential upgrade.Saturday's kiosk was the first of three opportunities for the community to voice its opinion, with a forum scheduled for tonight at the council's administration building (level 9) between 6pm and 7.30pm."Residents are invited to drop in to view concept plans, provide comments and speak to members of the project team, including a representative from Conybeare Morrison Architects," Ms Wardle said.The forum will also have information stalls. "It will be set up as a drop-in environment," she said.The next chance will be a kiosk at North Beach on Sunday from 10am to noon. The public has until July 6 to comment.

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