" At last night's Council meeting Council rejected our request to defer consideration of the Wauchope Pool item.Council resolved to adopt Option 1.

"Council will now use the Timbertown money to upgrade the existing 50m pool, replace the filtration system and provide heating.

"This means there will be no funds in reserve to build the 25m indoor heated pool."

THE future of Wauchope's public swimming pool is up in the air, with Port Macquarie-Hastings Council being presented with a list of seven options that include its permanent closure.

As the Gazette went to press the council was due to consider the options at its November 19 meeting, with the staff recommending that it adopt Option 1 - rebuilding and upgrading the existing 50 metre pool, improving the water filtration system and installing a water heating system, while sidelining work on the long-awaited heated indoor pool.

In the report by its infrastructure and asset management director, Jeffery Sharp, councillors were told that, "The existing pool structure has been assessed to be in very poor condition and existing pool filtration does not comply with the requirements of the NSW Health guidelines".

The cost of Option 1 is put at $2,050,000, plus about another $250,000 for heating.

Option 2 is the "Full Stage 1 Concept Plan scope of works. New indoor heated pool - 25 metre by 6 lanes; rebuild grandstand / renew amenities plus Option 1 upgrade of existing 50m pool" at an estimated cost of $5,867,000.

Option 3 is "New indoor heated pool - 25 metre by 6 lanes; rebuild grandstand/renew amenities; decommission existing 50 metre pool."

The indoor heated pool is estimated to cost $3,190,000.

Option 4 - "New alternate smaller indoor heated pool - no dedicated swimming lanes, only available for Learn to Swim, aqua aerobics and other community groups plus NO work undertaken on existing 50 metre pool." No cost estimate given.

Option 5 - "New alternate smaller indoor heated pool and upgrade of the 50 metre pool" (liner and new filtration system).

Option 6 involves - "Consolidation of Wauchope and Port Macquarie Pools - decommissioning both sites, building one central facility and sale of existing sites." The cost of a regional swimming facility is estimated to be "in the range of $25 million. This cost could be partially offset through the sale of the existing Port Macquarie and Wauchope pool sites".

Option 7 - "Close the pool - no longer providing the service to the community. This option will address the liability risk associated with the current facility and will result in annual operational savings through deletion of this service . . . The closure of this facility would significantly impact on ease of access to aquatic recreational facilities for Wauchope and surrounding communities. It is acknowledged that this option will likely be met with strong community resistance".

The Wauchope Community Indoor Heated Pool Committee's Di Gilbert said she was "gravely concerned about some aspects of the report", fearing that under the recommended Option 1 the nearly $1.4 million from the sale of Timbertown earmarked for an indoor heated pool might be permanently diverted to upgrading the existing pool.

Mrs Gilbert was also due to tell the council meeting, "There is no mention that Wauchope Pool is a War Memorial Pool, even though I have raised this on many occasions and to alter it in any way without consulting with the Sub Branch is to risk serious offence!

"Throughout this process of community consultation I have at all times liaised with the Sub Branch and sought their approval before moving forward and they are currently satisfied with our plans of an indoor pool and major upgrade of the outdoor pool.

"The community has always expected the money from the sale of Timbertown, a community project, would be put towards the 25m heated indoor pool, a community project.

"At all times through the public exhibition stage and all funding applications to date, the 25m heated indoor pool has been included in stage 1 of the project, there has been no community consultation over removing the 25m pool from this stage."

Cr Lisa Intemann said she "supported council putting health and safety first and prioritising repair of the existing pool".

"However," she said, "I completely understand people's disappointment regarding the indoor pool - there has been so much community support for the heated pool and so many promises from the State Government and nothing has come through.

"Should the council decide to heat the existing pool it would be a wonderful benefit to the community."

Mr Gilbert planned to tell councillors, "Before doing something that is going to have such a major impact on the proposed heated indoor pool, I request that council have a public meeting on this matter and all parties be included, e.g. swimming clubs and schools, so they can have a chance to make an informed decision."

For updates go to the Gazette's website www.wauchopegazette.com.au