Hobart City Council wants to build a public hydrotherapy pool at the aquatic centre

A much-needed Hobart health and wellbeing facility is in doubt after a tender process resulted in the best quote coming in at double the project’s budget.

Stan Goodman, 91, who uses the Hobart Aquatic Centre several times a week is hoping the council and state government can find the extra money required for the hydrotherapy pool project. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

A much-needed Hobart health and wellbeing facility is in doubt after a tender process resulted in the best quote coming in at double the project’s budget.

The Hobart City Council’s proposed hydrotherapy pool is the latest in a growing list of Tasmanian projects facing huge cost blow outs due to inflated construction costs.

The Council’s proposed warm water pool and wellness centre had an estimated budget of $7m, but after taking the project to market the only quote submitted came in at $14m.

The project was approved for funding from both the federal and state governments at the original price.

But now Hobart Mayor Anna Reynolds is in lobbying mode seeking additional funding.

Council is willing to double its commitment to $3m, and is asking the state and federal governments to do the same.

Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds at the Hobart Aquatic Centre. Picture Chris Kidd

“There’s a great deal of uncertainty in being able to plan for projects and seek the support of state and federal governments when there’s so much movement in the quotes that are coming back,” Ms Reynolds said.

“When we applied for it we submitted with our application letters of support from all of the Southern council mayors, the Physiotherapists’ Association, a range of disability organisations, the Council on the Ageing and the Arthritis association … everybody is aware how important this is.

“It would make a huge difference in people’s lives, but we are now going looking for this additional money.”

The 18 x 10 metre warm water pool within the Doone Kennedy Hobart Aquatic Centre Complex aims to address a shortfall in Southern Tasmania for pools suitable for hydrotherapy.

The design includes ramp access to the pool, office spaces for disability support services and fully accessible change rooms.

An economic appraisal for the project prepared by SGS economics and planning indicated a benefit-cost ratio of 1.57 per cent.

The initial federal grant came with conditions that the money be spent by the end of 2023, so Council is in a race to resolve the funding impasse.

“The whole project has a cloud over it. We can’t take out a $14m worth of debt. That would just be irresponsible,” Ms Reynolds said.

“We will keep trying and I think our many allies who wrote those letters of support will also try.”

‘I’d love this thing to happen’: 91yo’s wish for hydrotherapy pool

Bobbing around weightless in the dive pool, Stan Goodman can momentarily forget the challenges of living in a 91-year-old body.

“I suffer from balance problems. So the main thing is once you’re in the water in the dive pool, you can’t fall over,” he said.

Mr Goodman, of Lenah Valley, has been a regular at the Doone Kennedy Hobart Aquatic Centre for over 15 years.

He attends water aerobics every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

His aquatic centre outings have kept him physically and mentally strong amid the most difficult circumstances.

“I’m part of the furniture here,” he said.

“I’ve lost my wife and my two sons, and the support I have here is fantastic … they are like second family to me.”

Mr Goodman loves the place so much he happily gives up his Saturday morning to speak to the Mercury about the importance of Hobart City Council’s proposed hydrotherapy pool.

The project is under a cloud after a doubling in the estimated project cost to $14m.

Council is seeking a top up in state government funding to allow the upgrade to the aquatic centre to proceed.

“I’d love this thing to happen, there’s just so many people that would benefit from it, and that’s the most important thing,” Mr Goodman said.

“I will do anything to try and promote this place. I find it’s a marvellous opportunity for people.”

Mr Goodman said there were few facilities more deserving of a small proportion of the hundreds of millions governments spent on big projects.

“I’m a dyed in the wool football supporter, but I think this stadium is absolute crap,” he said.