While councillors agreed to display plans for a $33 million centre at Willow Park, several urged the two cities to get together to explore ideas for a joint centre.

They included Jenny Hanuska who works for Albury council.

She said the community should plan a truly regional aquatic centre, inclusive of Albury.

Chief executive Peter Marshall admitted that the $33 million plan unveiled publicly last night was based on the needs of a “region”, which meant Wodonga and also the shires of Indigo and Towong.

Mr Marshall said if the councils wanted a joint pool a whole new regional needs analysis would be required.

Cr Hanuska was not alone in expressing the apprehension over Wodonga’s ability to fund a single project.

Councillors had not been asked yet to consider an Albury-Wodonga aquatic centre, she said.

Brian Wicks said the Willow Park plan was a fantastic concept but Wodonga must discuss an alternative with Albury, which is creating its plan for a $20 million centre.

It would improve the chances of getting an international standard centre with indoor 50m pool.

The council voted to display the Willow Park plan for public comment while also talking to Albury about the potential for a combined centre or a separate one that was complementary.

The decisions surprised many in the packed gallery.

Doug Milos, who this week called for a joint centre, was pleased.

“Wodonga council tonight has shown flexibility and foresight,” Mr Milos said.

In another surprise, Mayor Lisa Mahood said the Federal Government “has no pool bucket” and a council would have to rely on state grants.

Williams Ross Architects, who are the designers of the brand new Benalla aquatic centre, has produced a detailed ground plan that shows the Willow Park centre immediately next to Pearce St.

It would be located between the skate bowl and Norsdvan Drive’s northern extension.

The largest pool would be an outdoor 50m by 20m lap pool, a 25m by 25m indoor lap pool, a 20m by 6m warm water pool, about three or four children’s adventure/learning pools, café, gymnasium, multi-purpose rooms and outdoor play areas.

A staged plan would see the 50m pool built first in a $16 million stage and most of the indoor stage later at a cost of $17 million.

Editorial — page 22