THE City of Greater Bendigo is facing an almost $50 million pools bill in the next 10 years.
An aquatic strategy and proposed indoor Kangaroo Flat aquatic centre will go before the council tomorrow night.
A report to the meeting outlines the costs of building a new pool at Kangaroo Flat while maintaining the council’s existing assets.
The forecasts have prompted the council to call on the community to debate the value of pools.
“Part of the challenge is the council has four 50-metre pools,” council chief Craig Niemann said.
“Do we need another 50-metre pool? Do we need a high-quality 50-metre pool at the expense of one of the others?
“It is complex and difficult and a lot about affordability but it is also about a long-term vision.
“I am sure there will be people who think a 50-metre pool is great and others will say $30 million in one community, where is ours, and why is it at Kangaroo Flat and not in the centre of town?”
The report states that the indoor Eaglehawk pool would alone cost the council about $10 million to maintain during the next 10 years.
It also outlines $1.85 million to maintain pools at Elmore, Goornong, Heathcote, Marong and Raywood, which Mr Niemann was adamant the council would continue to support.
Councillors will decide at their meeting whether to pursue a 25-metre or 50-metre indoor pool for Kangaroo Flat.
The 25-metre would cost about $25.8 million and the 50-metre pool would cost almost $28.97 million.
Mr Niemann said the council had not yet budgeted for the pool and it could be years off, depending on external funding.
“It is a huge amount of money. It is a facility that would be able to be used by everyone in the community,” he said. “There is something in it for everyone.
“But the challenge is how big do you make it and how much do you commit to it and what do you have to delay if you want to build that facility?”
Kangaroo Flat Community Enterprise chairman Alan Besley and pool advocates met yesterday to discuss the proposed aquatic centre.
Advocates have already lodged a petition with almost 3000 signatures calling for a 50-metre pool.
“It has got to be a 50-metre pool because we consider Kangaroo Flat an education hub and a 25-metre pool would not suffice,” Mr Besley said.
“I have done the figures and nearly all the schools in this region are up on other years.
“There are also projected increases in the number of students at Maiden Gully.”
The council has four major projects on its books already, with an airport expansion also in the pipeline.
The $15-million multi-storey car park in Edwards Street is under construction.
The council will also engage in an $8 million Bendigo library redevelopment, $25 million Sandhurst Theatre development and $7.55 million expansion of Bendigo Art Gallery.
The report to council recommends the council decide which pool to pursue.
It also recommends the council lobbies state and federal governments for funds to help pay for the pool.
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