A plan to redevelop Yass Memorial Swimming Pool includes an indoor heated pool and gym, but at a cost of about $9.3 million, the council will need help footing the bill.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A new hydrotherapy pool, splash pad, changing rooms, cafe and additional car parking in Victoria Park are also part of the plan.
The existing 50-metre pool would be refurbished, including filling in the deep end intended for diving towers and an entry ramp for physically impaired people.
A new shade cover would also be built over the existing toddler pool.
Yass Valley Council hired Complete Urban to create the plan and cost out the redevelopment after consulting with the community a couple of years ago about the pool's future needs.
The pool is 54 years old.
Around that time, a group of about 20 locals formed the Yass Heated Pool Committee and began looking at heated pools across the region, including Junee and Harden.
ALSO READ: Tips to avoid swooping magpies this spring
They proposed the council replace the 50m pool with a seven- to eight-lane indoor pool that could be used through winter as well as opened up in summer, committee member Ross Webster said.
The problem the council now faces is finding $9.3m for the redevelopment, plus ongoing operational costs.
The pool already runs at an annual loss of $97,800 and additional facilities are expected to take that figure to $400,000, a council report showed.
The council would need to source external funding, increase user fees and stagger the redevelopment to make it possible.
Stage one of the redevelopment would include the new gym, changing rooms, kiosk, office and cafe.
The indoor heated pool would be built under the second half of stage one and the hydrotherapy pool and splash pad would come later in stages three and four, respectively.
All councillors agreed at the September 28 ordinary meeting that the community should be consulted on the plan before anything goes ahead.
Mr Webster acknowledged the large cost, but said it was time for redevelopment with the pool nearly at the end of its life.
He and the committee will meet to consider what the council is proposing.
Councillor Michael McManus said a hydrotherapy pool was needed as a minimum. He said it would have significant advantages for older people and those recovering from injuries.
We care about what you think.
Have your say in the form below: