THE Tamworth Aquatic Group is meeting with deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce on Monday, as they take the fight for a new aquatic facility in Tamworth to the next level.
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The group has already met with seven Tamworth councillors, including mayor Col Murray, and this is just the next step according to TAG spokesperson Michelle Bolte.
“It is really just introducing the matter to Barnaby, keeping him informed, gauging and hopefully engaging his interest,” Mrs Bolte said.
“We want to let him know what we think is missing from his electorate because this facility will service the whole northern part of the state, and into other electorates as well.”
Recently the movement did garner the support of people from other electorates, with members of the Griffith, Sawtell and Port Macquarie clubs among many to hold up signs supporting the proposed facility, at the NSW Country Swimming Championships in Homebush.
Sawtell club president Clive Greenway said that his club is right behind the move.
“There is no reason that the Country Championships should be held in Sydney every year,” Mr Greenway said.
“We would take a full team to any carnival that was held in Tamworth, so we would be coming more often and staying for longer if the facilities were better.”
President of the Port Macquarie club Warren Phillips echoed those sentiments.
“It’s about time country kids caught up to their city cousins,” Mr Phillips said.
“Country kids are behind the eight ball before they start, because there is no all year public facilities that can hold large carnivals anywhere other than Sydney.
“One of the country councils has to bite the bullet and get this done - the first one that does will get the big carnivals every year.
“Give us an option other than Sydney.”
The push for a new facility in Tamworth has been happening since 1999 according to Ms Bolte, who also believes that the two current facilities in Tamworth - City and Scully Park - are beyond saving.
“They are crumbling messes,” Mrs Bolte said.
“We (TAG) are putting together a plan for council of what we believe we need, and that is a 50-metre indoor pool, a 50m outdoor pool, as well as a learn to swim pool, waterpark and hydrotherapy pool, but we need as much input as we can get.”
