Gym equipment should at last be dotted around the shores of Lake Wendouree next year.
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Council is calling for tenders for the installation of four exercise points around the lake.
These include St Patrick's Point, Windmill Drive, Durham Point as well as the start of the rowing course.
Earlier this year, a retired former police officer spoke out about the absence of the facilities from the area.
Former chief inspector Bob Barby told The Courier in August that he could not believe the water-side facilities were missing from Ballarat.
Citing examples of shore-side equipment in Queensland, Mr Barby said he thought exercise machines were "essential" to promote health and wellbeing of residents using the lake.
The City of Ballarat's 30-year Lake Wendouree masterplan included the proposal for outdoor gyms.
The council received $272,000 funding from Regional Development Victoria for the project, which was announced by Premier Daniel Andrews in October last year, just ahead of the state elections.
According to a council press release, the gym equipment should be in place by April 2020, with the City of Ballarat mayor Cr Ben Taylor saying it would improve the "functionality and amenity" of Lake Wendouree.
The equipment is likely to be in place prior to another much talked about addition to Lake Wendouree - the lighting proposed around the lake.
Several councillors including Ben Taylor, Amy Johnson and Daniel Moloney have been actively pushing for the lights to be installed by winter next year.
While some lake users have expressed concerns about the effect of lighting on wildlife, funds of $2.5 million have already been committed to the project.
The City of Ballarat said on Friday it hoped detailed designs - which are being drawn up in consultation with Regional Development Victoria and Heritage Victoria - would be ready by March or April next year.
The installation date has not yet been confirmed.
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