$4m extra is sunk into Manly’s Andrew “Boy” Charlton Swim Centre as revamp costs blow out

The  cost of upgrading the Andrew “Boy” Charlton Swim Centre at Manly has increased by $4 million.

Artists impression of the inside of Manly Council's new indoor facility at Manly Andrew 'Boy' Charlton Swim Centre. View of the new leisure pool for free play

The  cost of upgrading the Andrew “Boy” Charlton Swim Centre at Manly has blown out by $4 million.

An initial price of $15 million was provided for the revamp, which includes partially demolishing the existing pool and building an indoor 25m pool, a leisure pool, sauna, a gym and a kiosk.

But Manly Council has entered into an agreement to spend $19 million on the swim centre, although the contract is not yet finalised.

A council spokesman said the extra cost was budgeted for and includes a separate component – the replacement of an ageing heat pump in the existing 50m pool.

Artists impression of the redevelopment of the Andrew 'Boy' Charlton Swim Centre.

The Manly Daily understands that, excluding the heat pump, redevelopment costs have blown out by up to $1 million since the project was approved last November.

A council spokesman attributed this to market forces and said it was “within cost expectations”.

Councillor Barbara Aird said ratepayers will foot the bill and she would like the revamp to be abandoned.

Cr Barbara Aird at the swim centre.

“The costs the ratepayers are up for have blown out … and we have got to find the money from somewhere,” she said. “We don’t know whether it will mean more loans or service cutbacks.”

Council general manager Henry Wong said the heat pump will be funded from existing budgets, not loans.

Cr Aird’s concerns will be heard during the confidential part of Monday night’s council meeting. The project is unlikely to be abandoned, as preliminary work has already begun at the site.

Finn Harte enjoying himself at the current pool.

Balgowlah swimmer Dave Warner said the extra costs were “totally predictable”.

“Someone has to pay for it, whether by extra rates or admission fees,” he said.

Mr Warner said his family of five are at the pool “six days a week” and that many swimmers do not want the redevelopment to go ahead.

“From the time people found out what this plan was, 99 per cent of the regular swimmers don’t want it,” he said.

Ralf Pantenburg and his mates Trevor Austin and Graham Hannon oppose Manly Council's upgrade of the Boy Charlton Swim Centre.