COUNCIL VOTES YES TO POOL

9 March, 2011

Council has voted in favour of a new indoor pool for Castlemaine

From David Woodgrove

I attended the council meeting last night as an interested rate payer and also so I could submit this short letter to CI.

Around 40 people attended to hear a range of council business and planning proposals including the aquatic centre proposal.

Seven people from the audience stood and put forward comments and questions to council about the pool, including me. Two fully supported the plan with feedback about benefits to swimming clubs and the hydrotherapy pool for people with disabilities and injuries etc. Five gave feedback- including me – most in support of a new pool but not at the Western Reserve.

The councillors responded to all the questions raised. They explained that numerous sites had been considered, including the old gas works, Wesley Hill sports centre as well as the possibility of shared location with the new high school development. However all of these had either higher costs or other drawbacks.

The councillors provided feedback on updates to the current proposal that included large opening doors so the pool would have an ‘out-door’ feel in summer, a potential proposal for local carbon offset programs, and potential for co-generation to minimise greenhouse gas emissions.

The council resumed normal business then returned at the end of the meeting to present and vote on the Aquatic centre proposal. Each councillor presented their thoughts on the project. Most described the difficult decision because of the many issues and compromises in such a project. Finally the vote came down 4 in favour and 3 against the proposal.