Aquatic proposal concepts go public as debate continues to divide community

Mr Murray also said that if the majority of the community are not willing to lose the existing pools, then a new facility would be off the table for at least 20 years, stating “it is time for the community to decide.”

The proposal has polarised the community for the past 12 months, with many people unable to justify the loss of both centrally located pools, while several other groups believe a new facility is a necessity.

On Saturday TRC launched a third round of community consultation, and have finally asked Tamworth residents the burning question of whether or not they support the new facility at the cost of both existing pools.

In that same survey council have also floated three concept designs, ranging in price from $50 million to $61 million, with residents to vote on the preferred design.

“It’s decision time I believe,” Mr Murray said.

“If the community says no then we will go back and inevitably spend many millions of dollars refurbishing those two existing pools and I would say the opportunity for a new aquatic facility in Tamworth will be off the table for possibly 20 years.

“I don’t believe that any council would disregard that major investment and build another facility – it is not good public policy.”

While Mr Murray understands the sentiment behind a growing movement to save the two existing pools, he believes “the issues of parking, the capacity to host large carnivals and access to heated water in the winter months” are too great to ignore.

Meanwhile the Tamworth Ratepayers Association (TRRRA) and two leading rural health experts have grave concerns about what impact the closure of both central pools will have on the community, particularly surrounding the costs of entry and access to the new facility.

While Mr Murray confirmed that the cost of access would increase at the new facility, he declined to estimate by what extent until after the business plan is complete.

Earlier in the year TRC flagged the two existing pools as being unviable, citing maintenance costs of $250,000 each annually, however the three proposed concepts have maintenance projections of between $750,000 and $850,000.

“Costs will certainly be up, but there is a lot more opportunities to get revenue – there are a lot of associated facilities that have the capacity to make the financial model work,” Mr Murray said.

“It is not the intention of council to significantly increase entry costs, but I believe that they would go up.”

President of the Tamworth Aquatic Group, who lobbied council for the new facility, said if the centre goes ahead it would be the ony of its kind in regional NSW.

“Council should be congratulated for the work they have done – it will be a key piece of strategic infrastructure and is what Tamworth needs,” he said.

“Progress needs to go forward – there is a lot of history and passion surrounding the two pools within the community, which I understand - but it is time Tamworth had a facility for the future.”

The council survey and concept plans can be found on the TRC website, with submissions closing on November 30.