With debate raging in Batemans Bay about the need for a 50-metre pool in the north of the shire, mayor Liz Innes and councillor Phil Constable have confirmed their support for the Narooma pool facility as the Shire’s premier swimming facility.
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And what’s more Eurobodalla Shire is working on a master plan to improve the entire Narooma inlet foreshore area that includes the swimming pool complex.
Clr Innes after a recent visit to Narooma even had the idea of knocking down one of the Narooma pool building walls to open the facility to the magnificent inlet views.
Meanwhile up at Batemans Bay, community groups have sought assurances from the council that a 50-metre pool is not off the table for the new Batemans Bay aquatic center being proposed, despite the 25-metre pool in the concept plan.
The Fight for Batemans Bay’s 50-metre Pool group organised a protest on Saturday, November 25 seeking assurances that a larger pool would be built.
Clr Phil Constable said the council had invested significantly in refurbishing the Narooma pool, including a new pool bottom just in the past year, and it would continue to be the shire’s premier swimming venue.
What’s more, he said he was excited about the Narooma pool’s long-term future as the council had applied for a grant for a master plan to redevelop the whole inlet foreshore area, including the pool, sports and leisure centre, town wharf, NATA Oval and visitor information centre.
A separate grant was also sought to develop a master plan for Smyth Oval across the Princes Highway, which he said was the shire’s most-used sporting facility.
Clr Innes, who attended the opening of the Montague Arts and Crafts Society studio at the Narooma Men’s Shed on Saturday, said she believed the Narooma pool would continue as the shire’s premier venue for events that required a 50m facility.
During a recent visit to the pool, she had a vision of knocking out the building wall that faced the inlet, which would allow pool users to take in the stunning view.
Otium Planning, which was contracted to develop a plan for the Mackay Park Precinct redevelopment, also prepared the Eurobodalla Shire Council Aquatic Strategy.
The strategy states the Narooma pool “is proposed to be positioned as the shire’s swimming carnival and events facility … the need to replace the existing indoor 50m pool once it reaches the end of its useful life with another 50m enclosed pool is considered necessary.”