The heavy equipment this week started digging out the site for the main pool at the newly named WAVES centre at White Box Rise.

Wodonga mayor Mark Byatt and Zauner Construction’s Garry Zauner, yesterday announced work had begun on the $10.6 million project.

Cr Byatt said he looked forward to a “speedy outcome” on the project.

Mr Zauner said when his company won the contract in November, he had expected the centre would take 10 months to build. He had since revised that down to eight months.

The council plans to open WAVES — the Wodonga Aquatic Venue and Exercise Space — in December, with building work completed by October, allowing two months to commission it.

Residents will have access to the pool at the Wodonga Sports and Leisure Centre during that time.

The Stanley Street pool will close next month and the site will be sold with that of the former police station and courthouse in Elgin Boulevard.

The main 50-metre outdoor WAVES pool will have 10 lanes and be heated. The centre will have a play area and a toddlers’ pool.

Mr Zauner said his company was using the fine weather to get the WAVES project off to a flying start.

“I have Wodonga Council’s foot firmly in my backside and we’re talking about an October completion,” he said.

“A lot of what happens at an aquatic centre happens in the ground, so the public won’t be able to get excited for quite a while.

“Towards the end of winter, you should be able to see some real action.”

Mr Zauner said the project continued a strong relationship with the council — his company is building the city’s Cube performing arts centre.

He said about 250 contractors would work on the pool, with about 100 people on site at the project’s peak.

Cr Byatt said the centre would be ideal for local, regional and state swimming and water polo events.

“We partner Albury in tennis and basketball events so there’s the opportunity to come together again with an aquatic facility of this nature,” he said.

Cr Byatt said the WAVES’ name had emerged out of discussions with community members about the name of the Cube centre.

“Wodonga Aquatic Venue and Exercise Space is a bit of a mouthful, but WAVES is a catchy title that we think fits the complex well,” he said.

Editorial — page 14