The Cessnock Pool Users Group wants a state-of-the-art aquatic facility that will last for many generations.
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The group is calling for the city’s new aquatic centre to include a 51-metre indoor pool – the “high-embellishment” option in Cessnock City Council’s draft feasibility and design report.
A medium-embellishment option, which has a 51-metre outdoor pool, will also be considered.
The CPUG – which represents two junior swimming clubs, Masters, lap swimmers, water polo, water aerobics and the general public – is advocating for the Olympic-size pool to be built indoors.
“It won’t just benefit competitive swimmers, but the whole community,” CPUG chairperson Phil Murray said.
Mr Murray said the indoor facility would not only have health benefits for the local community, but would also provide the opportunity for Cessnock to host year-round competitions, boosting the city’s visitor numbers.
He said it has the potential to become a regional facility, considering the only other 50-metre indoor pool in the Hunter Region is at the University of Newcastle (which doesn’t have a separate pool for warm-up and cool-down).
The 51-metre pool includes a boom that would allow the pool to be divided in half, effectively doubling the amount of lanes.
Masters swimmer Diane Partridge said it was imperative to have all pools indoors.
“No pool would need to be closed to the public because of a wage blowout, shortage of life guards, the winter season or inclement weather, thus generating income all year round,” she said.
“The physical, social and physiological benefits of swimming all year round would greatly enhance the lives of many residents the Cessnock community.”
Masters swimmer Dennis Moore said he believes the number of people using the pool would increase with a pool that could be used all year round.
“At the moment we have a pool that suits about 60 percent of people for about 50 percent of the year,” Mr Moore said, adding that the 51-metre indoor option would suit “95 percent of people, 95 percent of the time”.
“The children can play in the pool all year round, learn to swim can be held all year round, the two amateur clubs and masters swimming can have their club night all year round.
“Hopefully we will get the water polo back, and people with injuries can use the 25-metre pool for walking or the hydrotherapy pool all year round.”
The estimated cost for the medium-embellishment option is $39.9 million, while the high-embellishment will cost about $48 million.
Both options includes a 25-metre indoor pool, a leisure pool, a warm water program pool, a learn-to-swim pool, a spa, sauna, water slides, outdoor water play area and car parking.
The report is on exhibition for public comment at council’s administration building, Cessnock and Kurri Libraries, Kurri Aquatic Centre and on council’s website until August 19.
