Glenorchy City Council votes for new pool

Community members in Glenorchy who rallied for a new pool will get what they’ve asked for, after the council voted for a brand new facility. Here’s what will be built.

The Glenorchy Pool remains empty while the council weighs up options for revamping the facility. Picture: Kelvin Ball

After more than a year after the Glenorchy Memorial Pool was shut down, it’s been decided the community will have new and improved facilities, one the mayor says will serve the next generation.

The 60-year-old pool was closed because of safety concerns, which stemmed from its deteriorating infrastructure.

The closure of the pool led to outcry from the community, and this year an elector poll result showed 93 per cent of Glenorchy voters were in favour of the pool being redeveloped.

At Monday’s council meeting, elected members voted unanimously for a new facility with a 50 metre outdoor pool, a 25m indoor lap pool, a 20m indoor warm water pool, a wellness hall with a spa and sauna and a toddler pool.

Glenorchy mayor Sue Hickey said the community should not have to settle for less.

“I want to remind everyone Glenorchy is a city … We don’t want people to want a second class pool that they won’t use,” she said

“We have to build a pool for the future for the next few generations, we want the city to grow.

“We are not going to waste our time on a make do paddling pool somewhere.

“It’s critical we have a learn to swim program.”

Labor election commitment to assisting the re-opening of the Glenorchy Pool that remains currently closed. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Construction would cost the council $72.7m, but to improve the revenue earning potential of the facility, a gym will also be built.

The combined option has not yet been costed.

The council has said it will seek government funding to partly foot the bill for the new infrastructure, but has flagged it will likely also need to secure a commercial loan.

The council has previously said if the cost was covered by ratepayers, they could expect a nine per cent increase.

Labor election commitment to assisting the re-opening of the Glenorchy Pool that remains currently closed. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Ms Hickey said the council was not focused on making a profit.

“This council does not expect to make a profit out of the pool … we do promise to minimise the loss to the public,” she said.

“We don’t make profits on our sports grounds, we don’t make profits on our arts centre.”

The council will now look at preparing a business case, before it lobbies governments for funding.

Councillor Molly Kendall said the option was the ‘people’s choice’ and had the best social outcome.

“There’s been a huge amount of community interest and passion,” she said.

“It’s been great to see the community come together and tell us loud and clear what they want.”

Before the vote deputy mayor Russell Yaxley asked how much a like-for-like facility would cost.

A council officer said it would be “around the $40m mark”, which is what was initially quoted by the council, but this had not been costed.

Originally published as Glenorchy City Council votes for new pool