TAMWORTH Regional Council is forging ahead with a business case for a new $67 million aquatic centre.
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While the councillors signalled their support for the huge project at Tuesday’s meeting, they also hinted at their collective desire to at least preserve the city pool site as a community green space.
Local swimming clubs turned out en masse to the final meeting of 2018 packing out the chambers spilling into an adjoining room to support the motion.
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Presentations by Tamworth Aquatic Group chair Grant Simm, 360 swim club vice-president Guy Hebblewhite and Australia water polo player Libby Magann were met with applause from the gallery.
Stephen Maher and David McKinnon from the ratepayers association and said they were in no way opposed to a new aquatic centre while voicing vehement resistance to the potential sale of the city and Scully Park complexes and called the assessment “flawed”.
Health researcher Tracy Schumacher also urged councillors to not support the business case as it stood and claimed there was too much information missing.
“Do not make a decision on the information we have, some is missing and we do not know what the unintended consequences of the current proposal will be,” Dr Schumacher said.
Advocates for the aquatic centre sang from similar hymn sheets, echoing claims groups using facilities at the Sports Dome had seen growth in participation rates sine the complex was built.
Mr Simm said it would be beneficial for the city to have the centre built now to service the region for the next 80 years.
“This council has an unique opportunity to leave a lasting legacy and build nationally significant infrastructure in regional Australia,” he said. “It will benefit the entire community.”
Ms Magann said the facility would boost learn-to-swim opportunities in Tamworth and suggested it would lead to an increase in usage among school groups, while helping address the city’s health problems.
“This is the most cost effective the complex will ever be,” she said.
While councillors backed the motion, an amendment was moved by Glenn Inglis to ensure “a bit more homework” was done on funding strategies and tightening cost-benefit ratios.
Juanita Wilson said there was no doubting the support for a new facility, but it would be something which might never get full agreement among the various users.
The amendment also included a call to investigate potential disturbance issues with the site potentially neighbouring AELEC.
While the council supported the location, some detractors have argued it would be a commute too far for residents of Coledale, Westdale and Oxley Vale.
Deputy mayor Phil Betts argued the growing infrastructure in the sporting precinct would show and create a greater a need for public transport.
The sale of the two existing Tamworth pools has been a sticking point for a number of people in the community.
The councillors expressed reluctance about the potential sale of the city site and agreed it should be preserved as a community green space.
Council will now develop a funding strategy which is expected to go to a councillor vote in early 2019.
The councillors also defended the community consultation processes carried out over the last year.
Mayor Col Murray said the last round of surveys showed there was significant support for the project.
“This project is well overdue and given the age of our existing facilities, very much in need,” he said.
While community sentiment is strongly in favour of a new facility, the Council 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.
“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.”