GT Aquatics owner Tap-Ky Duong had flagged a $350,000 revamp of his Wagga Road property, including a hydrotherapy hub, last week amid uncertainty over the hospital pool’s fate.

He said news of an $80,000 government funding deal to solve the hygiene woes at the hospital pool would not disturb his blueprint to expand.

“It’s great news for the community that Albury Base is coming back on board,” Mr Duong said.

“It’s unfortunate for me but I never banked on that (pool remaining closed).

“I did my numbers on the basis that Albury Base would re-open.

“I was fully expecting that Albury Base would be refurbished.

“I knew some community grant would be available because there was huge outrage.”

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Mr Duong said he believed there was enough demand from those that were unable to access the hospital pool and those that did not require rehabilitation but wanted access to gentle exercise classes.

“I’m fairly confident that we will be able to get $100 per week in extra patronage and that will pay off the hydrotherapy pool over a number of years,” he said.

The pool operators noted patrons should travel from Wodonga because that city’s leisure centre did not have a hydrotherapy pool.

The GT Aquatics upgrade is expected to be completed by February, after the return of the hospital’s pool.

The Joint and Muscle group, which receives administrative support from Arthritis Victoria, hosts nine sessions per week at the hospital.

It has three on Wednesdays, two on Mondays and Fridays and single periods on the other weekdays.