Published on Tuesday, 26 October 2021 at 4:31:52 PM
The Shire will undertake a feasibility study into the next steps to planning an upgrade of the York swimming pool facilities. The feasibility study will define options to provide York residents with pool facilities that are compliant with current standards for public swimming pools and appropriate for the community’s needs.
The Feasibility Study will cover:
- Location of the facility to remain on the existing site or constructed at a new location.
- Size of the main pool, noting that a like for like replacement of the existing 50 metre main pool would be dependent on funding availability.
- Community consultation with key stakeholders and the wider York community.
- Funding sources such as State and Federal grant funding opportunities, community contributions and Shire loans.
In April 2021, swimming pool consultancy Ninnes Fong and Partners undertook a survey of the York Memorial Pool to supplement existing information provided by Wet Decks. Their report shows that the plant and pool structures are at end of life and that planning needs to commence now for a new facility.
Following the report, Council considered prioritising repair of the main pool leaks. However, this work would simply repair existing end of life infrastructure and would not align the ageing infrastructure with current public swimming pool standards. In addition, money allocated to the repair of the existing plant room and pools would reduce the ability of the Shire to allocate funding to the planning of future pool upgrades.
At the Sept OCM Council resolved to focus on planning for a new facility and identifying funding streams which will require sources outside of the Shire’s municipal budget. The replacement process is expected to take 3 to 5 years. It is estimated that the feasibility study and subsequent business case will cost $80,000 and funding will be reallocated from the available budget of $235,400 for the pool leaks and plant room repairs.
The pool will be operating as normal over the upcoming summer.
CHRIS LINNELL
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
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