The Beagle Editor
Given the good news of $25m in funding from the Federal Government Regional Growth Fund plus $26m from the NSW Government giving a total of $51m , there is now NO excuse for not including a 50m pool that caters for the entire community as well as an increase in the seating capacity for the Arts/Cultural component at the Batemans Bay Indoor Aquatic/Arts & Leisure Centre. The $25m grant fund on offer is conditional upon Council providing a Business Case.
Council must now explain in the Business Case and to the public how it can justify excluding a 50m pool.
We encourage those attending the ‘invitation only’ Focus Group sessions to be held next Wednesday 24th & Thursday 25th October at the Mackay Park Rugby League clubhouse, to voice their support for a 50m pool and increased seating in the Arts/Cultural facility.
Disappointingly, despite being assured by Mayor Liz Innes that we would be consulted during the design stage, at the time of writing, neither the Fight for Batemans Bay’s 50m Pool group nor Our Towns Our Say’s team have received an invitation to attend next week’s Focus Group sessions.
For current and future generations, it’s important that we get this right and we do not end up with a White Elephant as predicted.
Fight for Batemans Bay’s 50m Pool
Our Towns Our Say Editors Note: the images below are of the approved (2013) aquatic centre at Hanging Rock Overlayed on that plan is the design of the draft concept plan for Mackay Park as well as a suggested variation of that plan that includes a 50m pool
The August 27th, 2013 resolution as it stands states: RECOMMENDED THAT Council: 1. Receive and note the report titled Hanging Rock Master Plan and Business Plan and associated attachment. 2. Proceed with an amendment to the Hanging Rock Plan of Management to reflect Council’s endorsed concept plan for the site as adjusted for detailed survey and design. 3. As part of the September financial review Council consider funding for a temporary Project Manager to oversight preparation of tender documents and calling of tenders for the preparation of detailed architectural plans, estimates of cost and business plans for Stages 1 & 2 of option 2 – No Arts Model, which includes the following components: a. Stage 1 Outdoor sports fields and tennis centre – realign sports fields to new configurations, new access and carparking and re-instate remote control car areas. New tennis courts, tennis club rooms, access and carparking. b. Stage 2 New indoor aquatic leisure facilities – leisure pool, new program pool, spa and sauna, 25 metre pool, health and fitness, wellness/retail, multipurpose/community rooms associated amenities and support facilities, village green and partial carparking. 4. Council consider funding for the completion of detailed architectural plans in the 2014/15 operations plan based on the tenders received to develop this project to a shovel ready state.
