The debate hasn’t been front and centre, publicly at least, in the campaign to date.

But below the surface there is no more divisive topic among ratepayers and the candidates chasing the nine spots on council next Saturday.

The stakes are huge for the elected councillors.

They have to make a decision on whether a multi-million dollar 50-metre indoor complex is built and Albury and Lavington pools sink or swim in the future.

Time for dilly-dallying on the issue has ended.

The consultants have done their work and the outgoing council has whittled seven options down to the final two – retaining Albury and Lavington pools or building a regional indoor centre at Lauren Jackson Sports Centre and retaining Albury Swim Centre.

Even if a new pool is not built in the four-year term of the next council, the planning will be well advanced.

Funding is another curve ball.

The expectation of the outgoing council is federal and state governments will stump up some form of cash splash to mitigate the anticipated $50 million price tag for the indoor pool and retaining Albury centre option.

Anthony Foley is a life member and former president of Ovens and Murray and District Swimming Association and life member of Albury North-Lavington swim club which is based at Lavington Swim Centre which could be a casualty of the final decision.

“My personal opinion is whatever council decides it should make provision for water polo, swimming, diving, rehabilitation and recreation,” he said.

“It is silly to take away those facilities when you've got people passionate about that interest.

“I always see pools as a service and not a money making concern.

“(A new pool) has to be built in a location that will service all of Albury.”

He said one of the biggest knocks on an indoor complex at Lauren Jackson Sports Centre was parking and provision for spectators.

The Fish out of Water lobby group was formed in late 2014 with the aim of having an indoor 50-metre pool, which can be used all year round, built.

Among the more recognisable faces involved in the group are former Albury mayor Stuart Baker and his wife, Annette.

The group turned up en masse to a recent council meeting to watch a plan to hold a non-binding community poll about pools with the election torpedoed.

Fish out of Water lobby group members feared the strategy would be dead in the water if there was a resounding no vote to the question: “Are you in favour of Albury Council spending up to $50 million to build a new FINA standard aquatic centre and closing the Lavington swimming pool?”

Mayor Henk van de Ven used his casting vote for the poll to proceed before tumble-turning when Cr Alice Glachan lodged the rescission motion opposing the decision.

Fish out of Water’s Facebook page is promoting candidates supportive of moving the aquatic strategy forward.

They are Cr van de Ven, Cr Glachan, Cr David Thurley, Amanda Cohn and Ruth Davys.

Cr Glachan’s ticket members including Cr Graham Docksey are also pro-pools.

“We encourage the public to vote for those candidates with the vision and know-how to catapult Albury into the top echelon of regional cities for liveability,” Mr Baker said.

“We would also encourage the public to ditch those naysayers who promote division and do not support positive progress.

“Fish out of Water recommends that you identify the nine candidates you most prefer and vote below the line numbering from first choice to ninth.”

Cr Darren Cameron, who is also seeking re-election, has been an outspoken opponent of the mega aquatics centre option which he has dubbed the “Chlorinated Palace of Versailles” which would be the death-knell for the Lavington Swim Centre.

He is surprised Fish out of Water hasn't been more vocal in the campaign.

“The Fish out of Water group and other candidates are engaging in a conspiracy of silence,” Cr Cameron said.

“They desperately don’t want the ratepayers realising the people they vote for next Saturday will be the people who decide whether up to $50 million will be spent on a new aquatic centre and retaining Albury Swim Centre.

“As recent publicity has shown there is next to no chance of getting NSW Government funding for this project and the ratepayers will bear the bulk of the burden if this project goes ahead.

“This will make MAMA look trivial in comparison in terms of the massive cost.”

Cr Cameron is adamant the only way council can bankroll the $50 million option on its own is to agree to another special rate variation – code for increased rates.

He is hopeful aquatics users will contribute in the same way user groups bought-in to fast-track the Urana Road Oval upgrade.

But cost is not the most pressing concern for Greens candidate, Dr Cohn, heading into her first council election campaign.

Her biggest fear is the impact on Lavington residents if their pool is shut.

“Council should re-evaluate the viability of the Lavington pool after the new centre is built, and if it must close, then public transport must be provided so that Lavington residents can access the new facility,” she said.

“Lavington pool site must be used to provide other public services to that area.”

RELATED