A NEW lobby group for a regional aquatic centre in Albury would like to see a roof put over Wodonga's WAVES pool if it cannot achieve its principal goal.
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Community for Aquatics in its foundation document has put forward the covering of WAVES as a runner-up result for its campaigning.
"The optimum outcome of a community campaign is council and community recognition and acceptance of the 2017, Otium Planning Group consultancy recommendation for aquatic development in the Albury Wodonga region," the paper states, referring to a proposal to build a regional hub at the Lauren Jackson stadium..
"A second best but acceptable outcome would be the building of a cover over WAVES Aquatic Centre in Wodonga (as originally intended)."
Community for Aquatics spokesman Stuart Baker said enclosing WAVES would allow it to become an all-year round swimming pool.
Recent Wodonga councillor and election candidate John Watson queried the value of a WAVES roof.
"To me swimming, such a few do it from the whole community," Cr Watson said.
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"You've got to reason what's the best spend for money."
However, Cr Watson said if government funding was available it would be worth considering.
The Community for Aquatics paper also declares there is a "lack of long-term vision" from Albury Council for pool sports.
"The current council regards swimming as 'seasonal' - a view born out of necessity in the 1950s," it states.
"However, current evidence and behaviour supports the physical and mental health benefits of all-year-round swimming - particularly relevant for post-COVID community activity."
Mr Baker, a former Albury mayor, said there was a lack of knowledge of aquatic activities on council since the departure of himself and past civic leader Patricia Gould.
"I think possibly they don't see the way swimming is seen around the country these days," Mr Baker said.
"It's an all-year round pursuit and they don't seem to cater for that, they keep prioritising seasonal pools and won't place any priority on all-year round pools which are a given in other places."
Community for Aquatics supports the retention of Albury pool and the closure of the Lavington pool with it to be replaced by a regional all-year round hub at Lauren Jackson stadium.
It wants Albury Council to support the new centre so government funding can be sought.
It argues "unless covered, upgrades to existing facilities are a Band-Aid approach and will not improve the long-term vision for year-round infrastructure".