Wingecarribee’s Leisure Centre Committee has denounced Council’s vote of last week to close two pools and build a $5.5 million aquatic centre.
Leisure Centre Committee secretary Nick Campbell-Jones said he would rather Council run with Cr David Fairall’s recommendation to spend $1.8 million upgrading the shire’s four pools.
“We would rather see that happen than see $5.5 million wasted on something that is only marginally better than what we have got now,” Mr Campbell-Jones said.
Mr Campbell-Jones said his committee at its meeting last Thursday night was unanimous in its condemnation of Council.
Council voted to close the “existing public indoor pools in the shire except for Bundanoon”.
It was also decided that Council build a $5.5-$6 million indoor aquatic centre at the Bowral Pool site.
Crs Rick Mandelson, Gordon Lewis and Paul Tuddenham had all argued that Council lean towards a “leisure centre” rather than an aquatic complex.
But that option, which would cost upwards of $10 million if built at East Bowral, was considered beyond the realms of Council’s budget, according to Mayor Phil Yeo.
Council would have to borrow the bulk of the $5.5-$6 million to fund the aquatic centre, which would also involve a significant upgrade of the 50m outdoor pool.
However, Mr Campbell-Jones maintains that there is community demand for a multi-purpose sports facility in the shire.
He said the committee is talking of other activities like indoor soccer, basketball, netball, cricket, bowls, gymnastics and roller skating.
He and Cr Mandelson also claim an aquatic centre would struggle to be financially viable.
Mr Campbell-Jones said a public rally is being organised for August or September, with the exact time and place to be determined.
“Taking into account that about 600 people attended a very hastily convened rally on the steps of Bowral Pool last year, public sentiment could prompt many more to attend,” he said.
Council has chosen to close down Mittagong Pool despite it being by far the most popular pool attendance-wise over the past few summers.
The doomed Moss Vale pool was also considered to be the shire’s best maintained pool, with the cost of a desirable upgrade being $86,500 compared to $715,000 for Bowral Pool.
Moss Vale Commerce and Progress Association president Irvine New has also indicated residents of his town will stage a rally.
“It’s the community’s pool, a community facility that is owned by the people,” Mr New said.
Even Bowral Pool user groups are worried about the effects of closing down pools in the neighbouring towns.
“Moss Vale and Mittagong can not afford to lose the benefits of a summer swimming facility,” Friends of Bowral Pool spokesman David Chandler said.
Council also voted last week to conduct consultative workshops with pool user groups between now and September when he matter is brought back before Council.
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