Chance of a lifeline for Lismore's Lake Pool

LISMORE councillor Greg Bennett is hoping the new council elected in September will agree to restore the Lismore Lake Pool.

Lismore councillor Greg Bennett has kicked off a campaign to see the Lismore Lake Pool refurbished and reopened. Picture: Hamish Broome

LISMORE councillor Greg Bennett is hoping the new council elected in September will defy council staff recommendations and agree to restore the Lismore Lake Pool, which has sat dormant since 2011.

Cr Bennett's latest motion to restore the South Lismore council pool differs from previous failed motions in that it has no final price pinned to it.

Cr Bennett said, "I don't want money to be borrowed. I want it to be funded out of free cash flow or out of grants - that will give it a bit more of a chance to pass."

But also sitting in next week's council business paper is another report from council staff recommending that the pool be removed due to prohibitive running costs.

If Cr Bennett's motion succeeds then the council report will be withdrawn, but if it fails then the report will be heard.

Cr Bennett said, "One of the strategies that I have had is to delay this until the new council is formed and another group of councillors can have a look at it. The majority of the (current) councillors (8 or 9) has voted to close it so it makes it a little difficult to win under the current council," he said

Previously mayor Jenny Dowell has voted against the public pool on financial grounds.

However, Cr Bennett claims it's not about the money. "She can be in favour of a new art gallery where we are borrowing $2 million and it will lose $1 million a year."

The council report states: "The costs are significant, both in terms of capital funds required to undertake the necessary work, and the ongoing operational and maintenance costs of the facility. Council has not listed this project as a priority in Imagine Lismore or made any budget allocations in its forward financial plan to re-open the pool."

"Should the Lake Pool be re-opened, there will undoubtedly be an economic impact on the financial operation of Council's two other aquatic facilities at the Memorial Baths and GSAC."

"Council has recognised the benefit of providing a free water based play facility including a water play park in the Lismore Park Masterplan. The Park is considered to be a better location. If council determines not to proceed with re-establishing the pool, a separate process should be commenced to decide the future of the site."