A campaigner for a 50-metre swimming pool in Batemans Bay says the group will push for a review of costings.
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The group, Fight for Batemans Bay’s 50m Pool, organised a meeting with Bega MP Andrew Constance held on Friday at the Batemans Bay Community Centre. Eurobodalla Mayor, Liz Innes, and Councillor Rob Pollock attended.
Campaign spokesperson Peter Coggan said Mr Constance had offered “some reassurance” that “he will do what he can to ensure Batemans Bay gets a 50-metre pool in the Mackay Park complex”.
However, Mr Coggan said time was running out to amend the draft concept plan for the precinct. The draft allows for a multi-use aquatic centre, but the current 50-metre pool (open six months of the year) would be replaced with a 25-metre one, to be open year round.
Eurobodalla Shire Council has applied for NSW Government funding to develop aquatic and arts facilities in the precinct.
Mr Coggan said it was essential the draft concept plan be amended to include a 50-metre pool before the NSW Government grant was awarded.
“Our big concern, although we have some optimism, is the time limitation to gain amendments to the concept plan, to replace the 25-metre pool with a 50 metre pool before the grant funds are awarded,” he said.
Mr Coggan said estimates a 50-metre pool would cost an additional $6.5 million to develop and cost ratepayers upwards of $260,000 a year to operate, were “grossly inflated” and were “misguiding the community”.
“We want that reviewed,” he said.
“Everything is stacked against us. The decision makers are not with us on this.”
However, Mr Coggan said Cr Innes had earlier this month given an undertaking to review the costings.
“(But) we can’t be confident until we hear Liz Innes state publicly that she fully supports a 50-metre pool and will go in and fight for us.
“She needs to say she will carry through her undertaking to review the business case and have a look at the figures.”
Cr Innes this month said the aquatic facility could not come at the expense of a future rate rise.
Mr Coggan said the group hoped for a big turnout at the Pack the Pool event on Saturday, November 25.
“With the overwhelming community support, I think we can turn the tide,” he said.
