Pool managers contracted by Albury-Wodonga councils, Aligned Leisure, has set a midweek deadline for user agreements between it and clubs to be signed.

Aligned Leisure had hoped to have a user agreement in place with Albury Swimming Club before last weekend’s open swim meet before backing off.

But Albury Tigers water polo club member and O and M Aquatics Action Group spokesman Jack Baker said Aligned Leisure was insistent on the agreements being signed even though the water polo and swimming seasons were already underway.

Albury-based clubs weren’t required to sign user agreements or pay lane hire fees under previous pool managers.

Aligned Leisure has retreated from plans to impose lane fire fees this season, but their imposition hasn’t been ruled out for the remaining four years of the contract and is the biggest point of contention with clubs.

The Wednesday deadline will also force the two councils, who own the pools, to either back Aligned Leisure and or fast-track some form of mediation to the dispute.

Mr Baker confirmed the Albury Tigers water polo club would meet tonight to discuss signing the user agreement, which carry no financial implications.

He stressed he wasn’t commenting on behalf of all clubs.

“I definitely believe there is still an element of uncertainty about what it means to sign it,” he said.

“I’ve read through ours and it is really only terms of use for the pool.

“It sets out what is expected from management and from the clubs.

“It might bring things to a head a little bit.”

His club has shown Aligned Leisure a copy of its insurance cover and the water polo and swim associations, which are also being asked to sign a user agreement, maintain their insurance cover is also adequate.

Albury Swimming Club president Phil Evans confirmed his club wouldn’t be signing the user group.

An Aligned Leisure spokesman was contacted for comment.