Pool plan 'would kill swim club' | Fraser Coast News | Local News in Fraser Coast

Maryborough Swimming Club spokesman Craig Ryan says aspiring young swimmers will be disadvantaged if the council goes ahead with its plan to replace the city’s existing 50-metre pool with two 25-metre pools.

JOCELYN WATTS

MARYBOROUGH Swimming Club will cease to exist if the council goes ahead with plans to demolish Maryborough’s 50-metre pool, club spokesman Craig Ryan said.

The club is consulting with the council in a bid to keep a 50-metre pool in the city.

“We are preparing a plan for the pool redevelopment that we hope the council will consider,” he said.

“The community deserves a 50-metre pool.

“There’s no city comparable in size to Maryborough that does not have a 50-metre pool.”

In fact, much smaller towns, such as Murgon in the South Burnett with a population of 2600, have an Olympic-size pool.

Mr Ryan said the loss of the pool would impact competitors, schools, regional clubs and the general public.

“This is not just about the swimming club,” he said.

“People have worked hard to build the pool we’ve got.

“In summer holidays the pool is absolutely full.

“It’s used to capacity.

“Maryborough’s pool isn’t just for Maryborough. It’s for the people of Tiaro, Woocoo, Poona and the surrounding areas.

“People who want to train in a 50-metre pool would have to travel to Hervey Bay which is simply not viable, especially for people training twice a day, five days a week.”

The swimming club’s alternative to the council’s proposition involves refurbishing the existing pools and amenities block and installing a new 25-metre hydrotherapy pool.

“We believe, from consultation with engineers, that our proposal would be sufficient to meet the needs of the community and reduce ongoing maintenance costs,” Mr Ryan said.

The submission will be presented to the council in the coming weeks and club members will also speak directly with councillors about the issue.