BENDIGO councillors will tonight decide on a vision for a Kangaroo Flat pool, though the end project will fall into the hands of future leaders.
The council will decide whether to pursue a 25-metre or 50-metre indoor pool at Kangaroo Flat.
But council elections in October could ultimately lead to a new vision for the pool, with contracts and final plans the work of the next elected council.
The council is yet to budget for the indoor pool and will seek funding from external sources once councillors decide on the length of the pool.
Only eight councillors will vote on the matter because Strathfieldsaye’s Cr Keith Reynard is on leave.
Multiple sources have told the Bendigo Advertiser they expect the 50-metre option will win the council’s support.
Three wards each with three councillors will replace Greater Bendigo’s nine single representative wards at the next election.
Councillors the Bendigo Advertiser has spoken with have said they expect this year’s election will be at the forefront of people’s minds during tonight’s vote.
The council endorsed pursuing a 25-metre pool for Browning Street, Kangaroo Flat, in 2010.
Councillors will also consider an aquatic strategy this evening.
A report to the meeting states the Peter Krenz Leisure Centre, which has a 50-metre indoor pool, would need $10 million spent on it during the next decade.
The figure could vary depending on what councillors decide for Kangaroo Flat.
Council chief Craig Niemann said the facility had served the community well but was in need of repairs.
“There is a lot of infrastructure to heat the water,” he said.
“You would not build (the facility) like that today. You would build a different pool.
“It has been a 20-year project but it has worked and met the needs of the community.”
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