Passionate debate already exists about the merits of upgrading the existing Albury and Lavington swim centres or taking the plunge and building a $36 million indoor facility at Lauren Jackson Sports Centre.

The council kicked off the consultation process this week with the release of seven options and already councillors are forming strong positions on what the future looks like with regards to aquatics facilities.

It is expected to re-visit the issue when community feedback is collated.

Ratepayers will also be anxious for some insight into what direction council is heading and what are the favoured options.

Make no mistake – this is a major decision for councillors and former mayor Kevin Mack's suggestion of a community poll as part of the September elections has a lot of merit.

This is a matter which impacts on more than direct aquatics facilities users.

The high price tag on every option will ensure some delicate balancing of council's books will be required to build a new pool.

Federal and state governments will be pursued for funding but ratepayers are going to bankroll a large percentage of any option finally agreed upon.

It wouldn't make a lot of sense for the existing council to lock itself into a favoured option.

Some councillors including Daryl Betteridge have already indicated they will be bowing out at the end of this term and some who decide to seek re-election run the risk of not being returned.

The incoming council will need to drive the issue and a community poll will be a great litmus test of ratepayer sentiment.

If the community poll option is taken up the existing council has a key role to ensure the question put to voters is of substance and will elicit meaningful feedback to help shape a final decision.

Time is on its side to give the poll plenty of thought with Cr Mack caught out with a similar move about the art gallery redevelopment in the lead-up to the 2012 council election.

Also, ratepayers won't be able to use the excuse they weren't properly consulted when D-Day does arrive.

Albury only has to look as far as Wangaratta to see how passionate people are about pools with angst still existing at the decision to close the Yarrunga pool.