On Dec 12th the following was offered to Councillors at their Ordinary Council meeting on behalf of Roger Gribble Referencing the question from Clr Phil Constable. QUOTE, 'discussions regarding replacement and other costs, such as maintenance, relating to Council's swimming pools, in particular in relation to how they compare to the Mackay Park development concept relating to the aquatic element.' UNQUOTE. The response provided assumes accuracy and openness in declaring expenses, unfortunately the response in no way interprets the real thrust of the Clr,s question! Doubts about actual, current and competitive cost estimates may permeate all aspects of any "new build" projects. That is why BCIS (Building Cost Information Service) for one, and many other similar focused buildings cost reports, including estimates for swimming pool projects. These are readily available sources of true and accurate cost estimates gained from a number of recently built projects. The thrust of the Clr question was to understand the differential in costs for construction and running costs for a 25m or 50m pool. This short course versus long course debate hinges on the councils interpretation of the people's voice. This interpretation is as critical as the actual veracity of the cost estimations themselves. Having already incorporated the wider use requests from the community, by providing designs for associated water based activities. Great! I now reference a document listed within today's agenda from the councils Warren Sharpe OAM and I quote verbatim, ""Batemans Bay is a regional growth centre with great potential”. The same document goes on to reference, and encourage even applaud Batemans Bay growth and all the infrastructure elements that go together to demonstrate a growing, developing regional driver. SO? How does this sit with the concept of building a paddling pool, when the job can be done properly, and just once. By building a 50m pool we remove the need for additional swimmers, many just normal trainers and some top flight competitors to drive straight past Batemans Bay in search a suitable swimming environment further up or down the coast. Ulladulla or Moruya/Narooma. Does that sound like, quote ""Regional growth centre"? — Warren Sharpe.OAM. Yes 'Short course meets', and even the "Worlds" are held in a short course format. However it is worth noting that Competitive short course pools are 25mtrs square. (10 lanes g 2.5mtrs each.) (or 62.5% of an 8 lane 50m pool.) However, the majority of Australian swimming competitions demand a long course format, preferably in a "fast pool".( for those not sure how to achieve this needs, deep water, more lanes (10), buffer lanes, good gutter systems, good lane lines, and the always assumed elements of water temp at 26deg C + OR - 1 deg. (FINA guidelines) and the expected quality and well maintained water.) None of these elements add cost, yet all add value and in today's modern swim environment, why, would you encourage the use of inadequate design practices. A 50 mtr pool with a 25 mtr butter ability is basically standard practice for new builds in Australia today. 50 mtr pools force endurance outcomes, hence it is seen as the norm. 50 mtr pools develop rhythm linked to longer distances and encourage a cadence at a steady rate, hence it is seen as the norm. 50 mtr pools, typically 36 to 40 strokes is seen as the preferred swim pattern, hence it is seen as the norm. AND finally you can do everything with a 50 mtr pool that you cannot in a 25 mtr pool. The above assertions come from references of Swim Team 101/ Ryan Wood Active. com/ Alex Kostich/ AIS etc.etc. YES, I agree that construction cost will be greater, but typically a 30% uplift, for a much greater gain from 25 to 50 mtrs. YES, Operating cost will be greater but, again at a marginally increased rate, as once water temperature is reached, there are real saving gained from THE greater volume of " at temperature" water. Finally, supervision costs on a hourly basis are a marginal additional cost, for a larger pool. However, the match against the greatly increased target market, has time and time again has demonstrated the viability of building the correct solution in the first place. So many good elements of the overall design that exists really do encourage the correct sized pool to be built initially. Let’s do the job properly once Roger Gribble
