I have been chosen as the spokesman for this group and I am glad. The soon-to-be-built aquatic and well-being centre will be a 21st century sports centre of excellence. It needs to be built to the size to cater for the community of tomorrow, not today. 

The $15m gifted to our great city from the previous state government is our taxes at work, so it should be spent wisely, as should the CoGB contribution. Given council staff have presented a plan to build a 25m pool for only $1m less than a 50m pool, it is an irresponsible use of ratepayers' and taxpayers' money to build a smaller pool.

The monies generated by the Bendigo Bank and then distributed to the enterprise group is hard-earned money being graciously donated by account holders. This money is and has always been distributed to worthwhile projects around the Greater Bendigo district. We believe our $100,000 donation towards the new aquatic centre is a very worthy donation in our community and so do the 2700 people who signed the petition for the 50m pool. 

We have never said the leisure centre is of no value; that’s some of the councillors' point of view. Demolished or not, it's not our call. The million dollars we are prepared to fund-raise is everyone's money, the same as the aquatic centre will be everyone's. I have spoken to some major corporate businesses and some smaller businesses across the Bendigo region and they are prepared to put their hands in their pockets to help, as am I.

I believe some negative nameless keyboard warriors in the community want to see Bendigo brought back to the 80s and not grow into a vibrant, cultural, country city. 

It would be a great mistake not to use this opportunity with the funds we have available to build a 50m pool now, instead of building a 25m pool and then in the near future wasting ratepayers' money refitting it to a 50m.

The extra $1m we would like to fund-raise would/could offset the difference in running costs between a 25m and a 50m pool for 10 years. It could be used as capital funding for the project.

What we really need is the councillors of the City of Greater Bendigo to look at the bigger picture for Bendigo. We are a growing community that needs to keep building for the future.

What's your opinion?

Do you have some thoughts on this issue? Click here to send a letter to the editor.

Preference is given to letters of no more than 350 words.