Shire of Denmark reopens debate on new aquatic centre

The Shire of Denmark, in Western Australia's Great Southern region, has reopened debate about building a new aquatic centre.

Earlier this year, following a survey showing 60% of ratepayers did not want the pool, Councillors rejected a proposal to build a hydrotherapy and learn-to-swim pool, and to push any further discussions back to 2021.

However, after recent council elections Shire President David Morrell said it was now back on the table, stating “designing a pool and the way it's going to be constructed that will perhaps depend to the way (the) community might be able to afford it when and if the funds come available.

"I think it's important that people realise that we are not disrespecting those surveys, we are still at the moment not in a position to afford it."

Denmark Aquatic Centre Association President Cyril Edwards, said that with the right planning, a swimming pool could one day be financially viable.

Edwards stated “I think the key point that was decided on by the council was that it was quite unreasonable for any council to gag discussion of the aquatic facility until 2021.

"I think most people just thought it was an outrageous thing to do.

"The starting point is to see what sort of subsidies would the pool need and that's when building it properly, using modern technology etcetera can reduce those running costs and therefore reduce the gap between revenue and expenditure to a reasonable amount."

14th September 2015 - SHIRE OF DENMARK SURVEY REVEALS OPPOSITION TO NEW SWIMMING POOL PLAN

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