ALBURY Council is attempting to strike a compromise between pool users and facility managers Aligned Leisure on the payment of lane hire fees from next season.
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Council staff is recommending a monthly licence usage model which means users pay more in the peak summer period and less at the beginning and end of the season.
It also recommends the introduction of a family concession membership with both to start in 2019-20.
The monthly usage model was one of four options canvassed in a report to be presented to council on Monday night by its leisure facilities team leader, Michael Stanton.
"Licence models and similar arrangements are standard for council run recreational facilities and ensure that those who require exclusive use during specific times have the right to do so and contribute financially for that exclusive use," he said.
"Albury-Wodonga has high participation in water sports, including swimming and water polo.
"This is a credit to the local administration of these sports, however as has been reported to council, the exclusive use required by the swimming and water polo groups does restrict access to the general community specifically during peak times.
"The introduction of a monthly licence fee model and the concessional family rate would support council’s expectations of usage and accessibility across the aquatic facilities for all members of the community."
Other options presented are no lane hire fee to be paid by user groups, full commercial lane hire or a subsidised lane hire rate.
The latter option was rejected last September.
"It's mutton dressed up as lamb," spokesman Jack Baker said.
"It's being dressed up as something it's not in the hope we will take it.
"The only difference here is you are going to be paying as an association, you aren't going to be paying as a club.
"Accepting any type of fee is dangerous because the foot is in the door for them to raise it up every year."
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