FEDERATION Council will delay making a final decision on the Corowa pool until at least May.
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But refurbishing the existing 50 metre pool is off the table as the pool debate returns to council on Tuesday when a project update is tabled.
The council won’t consider upgrading the existing pool built in the 1950s based initially on advice of the pool’s condition from the early 1990s.
Refurbishing was strongly argued against at the time on the basis of damage by tree roots, the pool leaking water due to cracks created from floods and any investment would not have a guarantee past 10 years.
Five years ago council costed restoring the pool with a liner and it also wasn't deemed feasible.
“The existing pool facility and plant is over 60-years-old and is at the end of its operational life,” Federation mayor Pat Bourke said.
“Therefore a new pool is necessary for a number of safety and compliance reasons.”
Federation Council is holding a community information session on future pool options at the Corowa RSL Club on March 26 starting at 5.30pm.
Council is planning to make an in-principle decision at its April meeting followed by a final call a month later.
Corowa Swimming Club requires a 50 metre outdoor pool to remain in the central division of the Ovens and Murray district to compete against clubs from Albury, Wodonga and Wangaratta.
The council is working with Otium Consulting Group to explore all options for the Corowa community including 25 metre indoor, 25 metre outdoor and a 50 metre outdoor with two smaller pools.
“All options being considered include an increased focus on water play and splash pad features to gain an increased visitation rate to the complex,” Cr Bourke said.
Acting general manager Adrian Butler said the 2013 advice was only a short-term solution and the pool still needed major capital investment.
“Although some of council's reports on this matter are years back, the fact that no works have been done since on any remediation, and that the pool has only aged and further deteriorated, council does not consider it responsible to invest in further specialist reports on the basis of the extensive reporting completed on the project over past years,” he said.
“Council would not consider it a wise investment of public funds given even a refurbishment would be an expensive exercise, with the ongoing risk of future failures.”
