Tamworth Aquatic Centre business case to go before council for $67 million project

A 60 page business case has been prepared in order to woo both parties to finance the three year project.

The business case will go in front of council on Tuesday for the final tick of approval.

The community and Tamworth Regional Council have debated the development of a new pool for two decades, council's sports and recreation manager Paul Kelly wrote in his report.

"It is widely recognised that the city's existing outdoor pool complexes are reaching an age where maintenance and renewal costs are rising annually," he wrote.

"A major investment will soon be required to enable these facilities to continue to safely operate and comply with standards."

A new pool at the Northern Inland Centre of Sporting Excellence could be up and running by August 2020 if the funds are locked in by September.

Council would contribute $10 million to the project that would have two 50 metre swimming pools, stands for 500 people and a 15 metre water slide with disabled access.

A cafe, creche, gymnasium and off-street parking is also in the plan.

The business case ruled out refurbishment of Tamworth Olympic Pool and Scully Park.

The cost to renovate both is $37 million without addition of any new facilities or disabled access.

Council would have to reach into its own pockets to fund a refurbishment, as its unlikely the state government would finance upgrades to facilities the council already owns.

If the new centre gets the green light from government the existing pools would be demolished by March 2023.

At present the outdoor swimming complexes only attract 30 to 40 per cent of residents, the council report shows, and are collectively aged 130 years.

Memorabilia from both would be worked into a new centre. 

There has been some backlash on the ambitious plan, with rural health experts concerned about the socio-economic and health impacts of closing the existing pools.

The new pool would not be centrally located and some community members aren't sold on the level of accessibility.

It will operate at a loss from the first year at $910,000 each year but is expected to bring in excess of $264 million in total benefits to the region in boosts to tourism, sport event visitation and employment.

The final business case goes to council on Tuesday, if endorsed council can get cracking to secure funds from the state and federal governments.

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