The community is invited to have their say on Cessnock City Council's plans to upgrade the existing Cessnock Pool.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Cessnock City Council resolved at its September 18 meeting to put the draft Cessnock Pool Masterplan on public exhibition.
Key items identified in the draft masterplan include the construction of a splash park, construction of a program pool, solar heating, relocated heat pumps, additional seating and more shade.
The project has an estimated cost of $1,098,700, and the council has submitted an application to the latest round of the NSW Government's Stronger Country Communities Fund grant program for the splash pad.
The plan has been prepared based on a detailed site analysis, site investigations, along with community and stakeholder engagement.
Cessnock mayor Bob Pynsent is encouraging residents to view the masterplan and have their say.
"Cessnock Pool was constructed in the 1930s and has been a fantastic community facility for so many over the years and it will be wonderful to see this plan come to life," Cr Pynsent said.
"In particular, the addition of the splash park for little ones and program pool for learn to swim classes will be great for our local families and young people.
"Council's long-term strategic plan is to provide the community with a bigger and better facility, however we want to ensure the current facility is meeting our community's needs now.
"The improvements planned for the pool will no doubt be welcomed by our existing pool users."
Check out the video below that shows what the Cessnock Pool could look like once the plan is implemented.
This latest plan comes after council voted at its March 7, 2018 meeting to adopt a "long-term strategic direction" for the pool, which includes eventually building a new aquatic centre with a 51-metre outdoor pool and a 25-metre indoor pool at Turner Park, Aberdare (with an estimated cost of $20 million).
At the same meeting council further resolved to upgrade the current facility for the short-to-medium-term as an interim measure.
Councillors voted 10-2 to put the latest plan on public display at council's September 18 meeting.
Councillors Ian Olsen (independent) and Rod Doherty (Liberal) voted against the recommendation, with Cr Olsen questioning if the Turner Park plan had "gone by the wayside".
"It seems silly that we should be chasing grant funding for a million dollars, when we should be chasing $20 million and get a complete new complex," Cr Olsen said.
"I just think we're going round and round in circles here, and the people of Cessnock are getting more and more confused about what this council wants to do.
"I'm totally confused myself, that we are going to be chasing grant funding for something so small, when should be chasing something so much better for the community."
Cr Doherty said he had some "real concerns" about upgrading the existing pool in its current location.
"We spent a couple of years preparing an aquatic needs analysis, which said Cessnock Pool in its current form wasn't suitable, and the community needed a new pool and Turner Park was the suggested site," he said.
"Have we been hoodwinked by what's going on now?"
Councillor Di Fitzgibbon (ALP) said renovating the current pool is an affordable solution that will meet the needs of the community.
"I think we're on the right track. Once the pool is renovated it will be a fabulous community asset," Cr Fitzgibbon said.
"It is a landmark in our town. All too often people are ripping down all the old stuff and putting up something new that's not special, because everyone's got the same thing.
"And as far as our pool in Cessnock, there are many people in town that value it, that think it's beautiful.
"We've got something really special and it would be a shame to lose it."
Councillor Anthony Burke (ALP) likened the proposal to renovating a house: "I certainly have to look after my house, if I want a bigger house later on," he said.
"I'd love a $20 million pool in Cessnock. We need a long-term vision, but we also need to be investing in what our community is using now, and that's exactly what this recommendation is about," he said.
A report on the outcomes of the exhibition will be provided to council prior to adopting the final masterplan.
The draft masterplan will be on public exhibition until Tuesday, October 22 at Cessnock City Council's administration building, Kurri Kurri Library and Cessnock Pool, and on council's website (cessnock.nsw.gov.au).
Written submissions can be sent via email to recreation@cessnock.nsw.gov.au or posted to Cessnock City Council at 62-78 Vincent Street, Cessnock NSW 2325.
RELATED CONTENT
- July 23, 2019: Council bids for funding for skate park, splash pad
- June 1, 2019: Council calls for community ideas for Cessnock Pool Masterplan
- March 14, 2018: Dream pool off the table
- July 19, 2017: School pool for all
- July 6, 2017: Pool plans deferred again | POLL
- November 29, 2016: Pushing for indoor pool
- November 17, 2016: Aquatic centre decision deferred | POLL
- November 15, 2016: 51m outdoor pool preferred
- September 20, 2016: Nine new faces on Cessnock Council
- August 31, 2016: Who is going to splash the pool cash?
- June 21, 2016: Pool plans on public exhibition
- June 21, 2016: Pool Users Group wants 51-metre indoor pool
- April 8, 2016: Turner Park earmarked for Cessnock's new pool
- October 22, 2014: Why Cessnock swimmers want a 51-metre indoor pool
- September 10, 2014: 51-metre indoor pool a preferred option for Cessnock
- July 2, 2014: New pool proposed for Cessnock
- February 13, 2013: Motion to bring pool forward defeated
- January 30, 2013: Pool Users Group says new aquatic centre could have many benefits
- December 19, 2012: A new pool for Cessnock - but when?
- December 12, 2012: Is a new pool for Cessnock on the agenda?
- August 15, 2012: Cessnock pool users ask candidates to make pledge