Canterbury Aquatic and Leisure Centre: Demolition set to begin as councillors raises loan concerns
The countdown is on for the demolition of the Canterbury Aquatic and Leisure Centre to allow a $61m upgrade. However, a councillor has raised concerns about the funding processes behind the project.
The Express
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Preparation works to demolish Canterbury Aquatic and Leisure Centre will begin in coming days, despite a $44m loan for the state-of-the-art redevelopment not yet finalised.
The complex, located on Phillips Ave, Canterbury, will undergo a major transformation with a $61.4m facility set to be built – featuring a 50m outdoor pool, 25m indoor pool, water therapy pool, sauna, gym, cafe, change rooms, spectator seating and allied health consultation rooms.
However, councillor Barbara Coorey has raised concerns about demolition taking place before the loan had been ratified by council.
“My biggest concern is that the $44m loan has been published in the financial statement available in the public arena but we don’t have a report to the councillors to ratify it,” she said.
“I call upon my councillor colleagues to be prudent enough that we ratify this loan prior to any demolition taking place. I don’t want to see a situation where we go ahead and demolish and for some reason the centre may not be built and we’ll be left with a vacant site.”
According to the council’s financial management strategy for 2023-33 an “initial loan” of $43.2m would be required in 2023/24 and would be drawn down as required to fund the project.
In emails seen by this publication, a council employee advised councillors the loan would be sought and finalised when needed, and a report would be tabled to a council meeting recommending it be approved.
A council spokeswoman said the budget for the project had been adopted as part of the 2023/24 operational plan and the funding strategy had been endorsed in the long term financial plan.
“What needs to be stressed, is that council will commence this project using internal funds and will seek further approval to obtain and formalise borrowings when they are required,” she said.
“Staff have already commenced preliminary works and, when completed, the facility will be a magnificent recreation area for the entire community and the envy of most other councils.”
The redevelopment was announced in 2019 with the upgrade deemed a high priority due to dwindling numbers resulting from poor facilities.
The construction is expected to be completed in the next two years.
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