Likely delay for learn-to-swim pool

Council is committed to providing a learn-to-swim pool as part of the wider Olympic Pool complex. However, issues raised after the submissions hearing to the council's Draft Ten Year Plan may delay the start of this project.

The draft plan proposes that the building of a learn-to-swim pool commence in the next financial year. This was included after consultation with Comet Swimming Club highlighted their preference for an 'all in one' facility. However further discussions with the club's officials highlighted the need to further investigate the options, cost and funding, to ensure the most suitable pool is built.

The Finance and Monitoring Committee considered the developments informally last week. It has asked staff to put options to council for consideration at their June 25 meeting. The likely outcome of this will be that the learn-to-swim pool will be rolled into the complete pool complex redevelopment.

Chief Executive Lindsay McKenzie confirms council is committed to a learn-to-swim pool. 'We are not backing away from building this pool but it makes sense to delay this decision until the swimming complex as a whole is scoped and developed. Council is reliant on working with funding partners to make this happen. It is best to only make one, comprehensive approach to funders". 

 "Developing the pool complex as a whole will ensure that all pool facilities are well integrated and that economies of scale are achieved. It will also minimise the amount of disruption regular pool users will face when development starts" Mr McKenzie added.

The pool redevelopment is planned for 2014. The delay will mean that Comet continue to use the Elgin School pool for its learn-to-swim programme.

It will allow time for the relationship between the club and the council to be formalised it that is the best way forward.

Cost estimates for the learn-to-swim pool development vary widely and need to be refined. Council budgeted $100, 000 to be spent in the next year. The balance would need to be fundraised and this would need full support from the swimming community.