Other councils should help pay for Aquatic Centre, Adelaide City councillor says
Council districts surrounding the rundown Aquatic Centre should help Adelaide City Council pay for an upgrade, a committee has heard.
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Neighbouring councils must help Adelaide City Council upgrade the rundown Aquatic Centre, a committee has heard.
At a sitting on Tuesday night, Cr Houssam Abiad said if the council retained the venue and did not allow the Crows to press ahead with its $60 million redevelopment plans, it should approach other councils to help operate it.
He said about 10 per cent of Adelaide City ratepayers used the pool, so it was “unfair” for the district to foot the entire bill.
It comes as The Advertiser revealed $18 million had been spent on the centre over the past 10 years – and a further $15 million would be needed to get it up to scratch.
“If council decides to retain an aquatic facility in the City of Adelaide (and) … we go with investment, I think it is important, and very crucial, that we do not do that without the support of neighbouring councils and perhaps the State Government if they are interested,” Cr Abiad said.
“If this is a community facility for all South Australians … it is unfair for our ratepayers to pay for all of it.”
Prospect, Walkerville, Norwood Payneham & St Peters, Unley, Charles Sturt and West Torrens councils all surround the CBD.
Current issues with the rundown centre, which is visited by 715,000 people each year, include concrete damage and rust.
A multi-million revamp would be needed to upgrade the pool, and there is no guarantee it would improve current services.
The council in June gave the Adelaide Football Club approval to press ahead with concept plans to redevelop the Aquatic Centre site for its new headquarters.
This was on the proviso the community had access to some of the recreation facilities, including the pool.
Cr Anne Moran, who is against the Crows’ proposal, said the council now faced a private operator taking over the parklands venue because it was “past its use by date”.
“We have waited to (get to) an emergency situation and now we are facing an emergency solution (if the Crows redevelop it),” Cr Moran said.
Cr Robert Simms wanted the council to retain ownership of the centre.
“I think people expect a city council to offer some concept of public baths for the public good,” Cr Simms said.
“That means it may not turn profit, it is not intended to, it is a public service.”
The Crows are expected to present its plans to the council for a training and administration complex at the site on Tuesday, December 10.