A 50-metre indoor swimming pool will not form part of Wollongong council’s master plan for Beaton Park, despite lobbying by residents and swimming groups.
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Council received extensive feedback – including 28 written submissions from community members and organisations – on the 20-year draft master plan during its month-long exhibition period.
The $55 million plan includes a multi-purpose stadium with six basketball courts, and a leisure centre triple the size of the current gym.
The first stage, worth $14 million, includes an expansion of aquatic facilities, including a new multi-purpose hydrotherapy pool, spa and sauna and aquatic play space.
According to council papers, the main feedback on the plan included the need for additional parking, the inclusion of family-friendly amenities and a 50m indoor pool.
In a written submission, Wollongong Swim Club president Col Bruton said a 50m indoor pool should be a priority at the Gwynneville facility, claiming a second 50m pool would also be required in the future for water polo and diving.
He said without these facilities, the city’s top swimmers would have to leave Wollongong to train and compete.
“(A) 50m Olympic pool not only attracts intraclub, interclub, regional, state and Australian interests but also extends to international areas,” he stated. “Maybe in future years Wollongong could host the Commonwealth games.”
In another submission in favour of the 50m pool, South Eastern Swimming Association president Sue Worthington wrote: “A fully equipped indoor 50m pool at Beaton Park would ensure access to a state-of-the-art facility and equipment to all stakeholders, not just swimming clubs.”
However Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery said there was already nine public swimming pools in the city – two 25m pools and seven 50m pools.
“Per head of population we rank with Brisbane in terms of the highest supply of swimming/ aquatic opportunities of any city in the country,” he said.
Councillor Bradbery said it was important that the Beaton Park precinct was redeveloped to cater for a wide range of users.
“It’s a regional centre, it’s going to be a regional focus, so it needs to take into consideration that it’s not just servicing the city but the region,” he said.
“Getting flexibility in the use of facilities is really important – it’s not just that it’s tied up with one particular activity. You can use the aquatic centre for instance for everything from hydrotherapy right through to doing laps.
“It’s not meant to be tied up in elite activities or one-off activities, it’s meant to be a multi-use, multi-faceted facility.”
Following consideration of all submissions, council staff have recommended a number of changes to the draft master plan – although the inclusion of the 50m pool is not among them.
Changes include removal of parking on the Department of Defence site and extension of parking to the west of the tennis club.
There’ll be a slight reconfiguration of tennis courts to ensure viewing from the club, and the identification of an area for a junior football pitch east of the aquatic centre.
The health and well-being space will be moved and expanded and the multi-purpose stadium moved further to the south.
The need for more family-friendly change rooms and facilities/access for the disabled will be included.
Council staff have recommended councillors endorse the final master plan at Monday night’s meeting.
“The Beaton Park (plan) will provide a road map for the delivery of recreational services in the region for the next 20 years,” Peter Coyte, Manager Property and Recreation, stated in the report.
“It will foster and promote healthy lifestyle choices for the whole community through a diverse and affordable range of quality recreational, sporting, health and leisure opportunities whilst ensuring the changing needs and shape of the community will be well catered for into the future.
“The endorsement of the master plan will provide the first step to being able to provide quality services and facilities to the community for many years to come.”