A NEW indoor aquatic centre could emerge from a joint approach to pool management being taken by Albury and Wodonga councils.
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The Twin Cities’ mayors on Friday revealed the councils planned to have all their pools under one administrator from July next year.
The move could see season passes covering Albury and Lavington aquatic centres as well as the pools at Wodonga’s leisure centre and WAVES.
Albury mayor Kevin Mack said it was evidence of co-operation, while Wodonga mayor Anna Speedie remarked it showed the cities being “smarter”.
“It’s about saying one season pass to all our aquatic facilities and one provider in terms of maintaining those facilities (and) it sends a strong message as two councils we’re thinking about that one community and making their job easier,” Cr Mack said.
Asked what it meant for future collaboration, Cr Mack pointed to the prospect of an indoor aquatic centre.
“We’re looking at ways we can create an indoor aquatic facility together and that is a significant cost saving when you’re talking in the realm of $52 million to build that facility,” Cr Mack said.
“Wodonga have been working in that space, as we have, for a number of years and to say that we are not moving in that space I think this is a good indication we’re looking towards the future.”
Cr Speedie was not as bullish.
“We’re not here to talk about the capital outlay and the provision of new capital into the future, those things take a long time to work through and discuss,” she said.
“Absolutely those things are going on in the background and will continue to do so, today is actually about providing the maintenance and services for our communities in terms of a new contract.”
Existing Albury and Lavington pool contractor Laurie McInnes said he would bid for the joint tender which he saw as having “pros and cons”.
“It could be a lot dearer to do it this way, but it could be beneficial to users,” Mr McInnes said.
“It’s something the ratepayers of Albury and Wodonga will have to weigh up.
“You would think one would get a better deal than the other.”
Albury pool and WAVES will open for the 2017-18 season on Monday September 18 with Lavington operating from October.
