Manly Swim Centre redevelopment to cost $21.1m after councillor reveals confidential full price

Hidden costs of redeveloping Manly’s swim centre have emerged – taking the price from $15 million to $21.1 million.

Artist impressions of the renovations showing what the Andrew Boy Charlton Pool at Manly will look like once the redevelopment is finished. Picture: SUPPLIED

Hidden costs of redeveloping Manly’s swim centre have emerged – taking the price to $21.1 million.

Originally billed as a $15 million project, it can now be reported that Manly Council has agreed to spend the additional $6.1 million on the pool and works associated with the upgrade.

The figure is even larger than the $19 million previously reported in the Daily and was omitted from a council report on the pool redevelopment, which said the number was confidential.

But during a debate Cr Barbara Aird read it out anyway, later calling the secrecy move “a joke”.

Manly Council general manager Henry Wong said the newly revealed costs did not amount to a blowout because the project included elements besides the new lap pool and “all those components are separate”.

Manly Councillor Barbara Aird revealed the true cost of the pool.

The old pool is retained and new pools are built indoors. Picture: SUPPLIED

“The cost of the project is fully funded,” he said.

Mr Wong said the replacement of a heating pump and upgrade to LM Graham Reserve would have gone ahead anyway and should be treated as separate to the pool project. The cost does not include the price of any roadworks which may be required on Kenneth Rd.

Swimmer Nicole Warner, who opposes the project, said the cost revelation was disappointing but no surprise.

“The whole process has been wrong, it’s been unfair – no-one listens,” she said.

Mrs Warner has organised a protest against the pool project on Sunday afternoon at the pool at 4pm.

An impression of the new indoor complex to be built at the swim centre. Picture: SUPPLIED

Building firm FDC Construction and Fitout Pty Ltd have already begun earthworks at the pool site, preparing the ground for the indoor lap pool

Mr Wong also said Cr Aird, who called for the pool report, did not specifically ask for the costs to be made public asking only of the “source of funding”.

COST BREAKDOWN

■ Indoor lap pool: $16.5 million

■ Heat pump and energy plant: $1.5 million

■ LM Graham Reserve amenities block: $1.5 million

■ Other works: $1.6 million

■ Total: $21.1 million