Batemans Bay Pavilions: Report reveals facility has been running at $1.2m loss
A report has revealed an aquatic and performing arts centre had been running at a $1.2m loss, with community members speculating on what has caused the major financial failure.
The South Coast News
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A report has revealed a south coast aquatic and performing arts centre has lost more than $1m in its opening year, sparking discussions on what caused the major loss – but one reason continues to dominate them all; a lack of a 50m pool.
The Batemans Bay Pavilion Arts and Aquatic Centre was opened to the Eurobodalla community last June, replacing the original outdoor 50m pool and bringing with it water slides, a 25m lap pool, warm water and play pool, gym, cafe and 300-seat theatre.
Discussions have begun on the financial impact a lack of a 50m pool has brought after a council report revealed the facility was running at a $1.2m loss between June 2022 and March 2023.
The publicly-released review states the major financial loss came down to total revenue being lower than anticipated.
“Revenue was $221,000 or eight per cent below the forecast, driven by 12 per cent lower patronage,” the review states.
The report was discussed by Eurobodalla Council and community members at a meeting on Tuesday, with the community pitching cost-saving ideas to turn the situation around.
“The only way we can turn this around is to just go to it,” resident Lei Parker said. “Every single person who goes to the pavilions, it reduces our losses.”
Mr Parker also noted the lack of advertising for the facility played a part in the low patron turnout.
“One of the interesting things in the report said the people running the pavilions, in a bid to reduce costs, they withdrew advertising,” he said.
‘Community Supports 50m Pool’ group member Maureen Searson wrote to council before the meeting, noting the lower patronage and revenue was due to the lack of a 50m pool.
“The results of a survey confirmed lack of support for the 25m pool,” Ms Searson said.
“86.60 per cent of people did not support Eurobodalla Council’s plans to replace the 50m pool with a 25m pool and only 18.3 per cent of people did support the plans.”
Outside the meeting, other residents also shared their disappointment with the lack of the 50m pool, noting it was a contributing factor to low patron turnout.
“I used to swim at the 50m pool but it obviously was getting bit old and needed replacing,” Kate McMiller said.
“I use the new pool and it’s great to have something which is open during the colder months, but I still miss the 50m pool.”
Another resident Jack Torran said he hadn’t used the new facility because of the 25m pool.
“I travel to the Narooma pool to use their 50m pool,” he said. “It’s just easier to do those laps. As good as the new centre is, I can’t use it.”
However, Eurobodalla Council mayor Matthew Hatcher said the smaller lap pool was not an issue.
“There is no doubt there are those in the community that wanted a 50m pool,” he said. “But we can’t continue to look backwards.”
“This report was about looking after the process of how we got here and how this new council, which was handed the keys, move forward with it.”
While investigations on how costs to run the facility can be lowered are ongoing, the report suggests council identify projects to re-prioritise or alternatively, completely abandon to save money at the facility.
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