Golden Square Pool. Picture: PETER WEAVING
THE Save Our Golden Square Swimming Pool community group and City of Greater Bendigo are set to begin negotiations over operational costs such as insurance and utility bills.
The pool was handed over to the group by the council on the provision it oversaw the estimated $290,000 worth of works needed to restore the pool before December.
But yesterday debate still raged about who would pay for ongoing expenses such as rates and bills.
Council’s recreational manager Pat Jess said the council would write to the Department of Sustainability and Environment this week to formally request the assets and public liability of the pool were transferred to the community group. Once that is done, the two groups plan to meet to determine how the lease would be worded.
Mr Jess said the resolution passed by council had committed the council to provide some ongoing financial support.
“The details of that commitment are yet to be detailed (but) they are likely to be a contribution towards operational costs,” he said.
Save our Golden Square Pool community group’s Ken Hamilton said he thought the council would be responsible for operational costs and the group for maintenance and capital work.
