COUNCILLORS have voted in favour of a business case for a new aquatic centre, which could cost upwards of $60 million.
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Tamworth Regional Council met for the final time in 2018 on Tuesday night where it put the much-debated and divisive pool development to a vote.
Council voted in favour of the proposal after an amendment from Glenn Inglis, with a "bit more homework to be done on funding strategies".
It comes after more than 20 years of community discussion on the need for a year-round aquatic facility in the city.
READ MORE:
- January 2017: Tamworth City Swimming Club wants action on year-round aquatic centre | Poll
- Tamworth pool survey results claim 80pc in favour
- “A lot of the people that are negative towards to the project, don’t see and understand what we’re trying to do,” Tamworth City Swimming Club president Grant Simm said.
There was concerted push from local swimming groups in early 2017 which got the matter back on council’s agenda.
The decision could spell the end for Tamworth’s existing Olympic and Scully Park pools which might be sold to help fund the new development.
While community sentiment is strongly in favour of a new facility, council said it recognises historical ties to the two existing swimming centres.
“The history of Tamworth’s two swimming centres isn’t lost on us – we understand the important role these facilities have had over the last 50 years,” mayor Col Murray said.
“However, it’s time to set our region up for the future and ensure that we provide the next generations with an exceptional place to swim and participate in recreational activities.”
The council business case stated this was one of the main objections voiced from the community.
However, recent polling conducted by council found 80 per cent of the 3000 respondents were in favour of building a new aquatic facility.
Council will now develop a funding strategy which is expected to go to a councillor vote in early 2019.
More to come.