The council has begun planning for life without at least one city pool.
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But the state-of-the-art aquatic centre mooted as its replacement is still "a little way off yet".
Tamworth Regional Council unanimously passed a draft Bicentennial Park master plan at Tuesday's ordinary meeting.
The draft will go on public exhibition on Monday and councillors expect, and have called for, a wave of feedback on the plan.
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The plan incorporates land bordering the Oxley Highway, the banks of the river, right along Kable Avenue to Roderick Street.
As it stands, the plan calls for the Olympic pool to be decommissioned and replaced with an events, dining and green space.
Removing the pool from the Bicentennial Park master plan sent a definitive statement about the council's position on the facility.
But the mayor, Col Murray, defended claims the council was jumping the gun given there has been no suggestion of a funding commitment for the proposed $67 million aquatic centre.
"It has long been council's intent and after long and strong consultation ... that the two city pools will close when we have a new aquatic centre built and delivered," Cr Murray said
"We are a little way off yet.
"We don't have the funding to build an aquatic centre yet."
He said the the park master plan was a "long term document" and it needed to be updated.
"The current master plan has had a life of around 30 years," Cr Murray said.
"That is probably a little long for a master plan for a public facility.
"This master plan draft now suggests the pool be closed and changed into green space, some attractive gardens and infrastructure, to account for moving our major events into Number One Oval.
"I would encourage people to pop down to council and have a look at those plans and provide their input."
Under the draft plan, Number One Oval will become a "boutique sports venue".
It will "provide infrastructure for large events and concerts" and could attract "improved amenities and change rooms".
The draft plan also includes suggestions to increase access to the shores of the Peel River, including possible kayak launching areas and "a beach".