A new Port Macquarie Aquatic Centre is a priority, say campaigners | poll

A group agitating for a new community aquatic centre has called on Port Macquarie-Hastings Council to kick start the planning and design process.

The Port Macquarie Community Aquatic Centre Committee says council only needs to look at previous resolutions for a start point.

Spokesperson Greg Freeman said council, in 2005, passed a three point resolution.

“That included, to endorse Macquarie Park as the preferred site for the Port Macquarie Aquatic Facility, endorse the preparation of preliminary designs of the Port Macquarie Aquatic Facility, and, that options for the future use of the existing pool site be explored, including possible use by community organisations,” Mr Freeman said.

“There was quite a deal of good work done 12 years ago but then, after the Glasshouse project, the money and effort disappeared.

“Our group believes council should revisit this previous resolution and kick start the process with an injection of funds to get consultation and designs underway now.

“We realise that grants from state and federal government will be needed to build a new facility but for this to happen, council needs to have a preferred location and design in place.”

Mr Freeman said council should give priority to a budget allocation for an investigation, consultation and design for a community aquatic centre.

Council’s adopted operational plan 2017/18 says it will develop a strategic concept plan for the pool including the site selection process.

He called on council to make a budget allocation in the capital works program for the pool.

Mr Freeman says to progress the issue, a comprehensive design and consultation process needs to occur.

“And this costs money,” he said. “Our advice is in the order of at least $100,000 to engage the right experts in site selection, consultation, pool master planning and design,” Mr Freeman said.

“The pool in Port Macquarie has severe structural problems, which were identified over 15 years ago. It leaks up to 50,000 litres of water each day, or around 18 megalitres a year, which is the equivalent usage of about 115 residential properties.

“It has around 170,000 users each year, catering for school carnivals, learn to swim, aquarobics, triathlon club training, masters swimming and general exercise swimming as well as other activities.

“A significant amount of planning and design work was done in 1999 and 2000 , then council allocated $100,000 as part of its in 2004/05 Works Program to prepare preliminary designs for the Port Macquarie Aquatic Facility.

“Our group plans to ask the five mayoral candidates whether they support the allocation of significant funds towards a consultation and design process with expert advice to urgently replace the Port Macquarie pool,” Mr Freeman said.

“This project differs from the recent push for an ocean pool as the Port Macquarie pool project is about infrastructure replacement.

“The community needs a modern swimming facility that services learn to swim, training squads, school swimming carnivals, exercise for the elderly and disabled amongst numerous other activities.”

For information to the Port Macquarie Community Aquatic Centre Committee Facebook page @newpoolforport The group welcomes community input and ideas.