Wind blocking screens, covered walkways and roofed sections will be constructed to ensure rain, sun and wind could be controlled, utalised and blocked if needed.

MAAC chief executive Scott Hawkins said the out-of-the-box infrastructure chosen for the project was able to be altered for seasonal comfort.

“We have a small section where a lot of wind comes through so we’ve decided to put louvers there so we can either block the wind in cooler months or let a breeze come through during summer,” he said.

The MAAC were successful in securing $199,696 under the state government’s Tourism Demand Driver Infrastructure (TDDI) Program.

MAAC board chair James von Drehnen said an extra $250,000 was co-funded by Moree Plains Shire Council’s Grant Application Reserve (GAR).

“The last council resolved the build a reserve knowing at some point in the future we’d be able to put our hand up for a grant suitable for the MAAC.

“This is a really exciting project because the business model we are putting in place with the grant funding allows us the increase our patronage during the shoulder months,” he said.

Patron numbers have been known to decrease from May to August in the cooler months.

“If we can increase numbers and average the same every month it will inject about $2.4 million back into the Moree economy, so this doesn’t just benefit the MAAC,” Mr Hawkins said.

Last year the iconic tourist attraction saw 250,000 visitations, and the average cost per night to stay in Moree is around $130-140.

“If we can one, attract new people and two, try to get people to stay an extra night because of the comfortable facility then we can boost Moree’s tourism,” Mr von Drehnen said.

Along with louvers, roll-down, plastic, cafe-style wall panels will be installed around the hot pools to keep the areas warm while still allowing patrons to enjoy the view around them.

“We have added out of the square elements to create the best of both worlds and utalise our weather in the best way possible,” Mr Hawkins said.

Moree Plains Shire mayor Katrina Humphries said council hoped for the infrastructure since early days of the pool’s renovations.

“We’ve always had a wish list and more shade, and wind protection was very much on that list. To make this our iconic tourist destination we have to make sure our visitors and local are comfortable,” she said.

Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall visited the MAAC on Wednesday with Mrs Humphries to announce the grant funding.

“This funding will not only make the naturally warm pools more comfortable, it will also drive tourism spending in Moree which flows through to every individual and business within the town,” he said.