That was the big question raised by Cr Belinda McCorkell at a  Parkes Shire Council.

Despite the fact that council loses thousands of dollars annually from its four shire pools in Parkes, Peak Hill, Trundle and Tullamore, Cr McCorkell placed the issue of an indoor heated pool once again on Council’s agenda.

In her detailed question tabled at the meeting, Cr McCorkell said it was imperative council `move with the times’ and undertake forward planning to establish an Aquatic Centre that operates all year round to the benefit of a cross section of the community.

Letters in support of the indoor pool were also tabled by the Parkes Swimming Club and the Flippers Social Swimming Club.

She requested council discuss funds being allocated to get the indoor pool to `project ready status’.

“This is so the configuration, whole-of-life costs and opportunities identified to seek funding can be clearly understood,” Cr McCorkell said.

“Members of the community and specialised groups have raised the issue of moving forward with an indoor heated pool for the shire.

“An Aquatic Centre has the greatest appeal to the largest amount of people as it represents so many different uses for so many user groups within our community,” she said.

Cr McCorkell described the Parkes Pool complex which was renovated to the cost of $2million in time for the start of the 2012/13 season as being a unique community resource.

“It is used for a diverse range of reasons including sport, recreation, exercise, health and social occasions by a large cross-section of the shire.

“However, access is limited to approximately six and-a-half months a year.”

As part of her argument in support of an indoor pool, Cr McCorkell highlighted statistics compiled by Adelaide University’s Public Health Information Development Unit.

“Disturbingly, figures found that Parkes had the ninth highest rate of obesity of any local government area in Australia with almost a quarter of the adult population, 23.66 of every 100 adults falling into the obese category,” she said.

She described it as a  tragic statistic for the shire.

“As a Council we need to identify infrastructure projects that can encourage our residents to enjoy a more healthy, active and social lifestyle.

“Further development of the pool precinct is certainly a big step in this direction,” Cr McCorkell said.

While Parkes Mayor Ken Keith suggested an indoor heated pool could be available for grant funding, Council’s General Manager Kent Boyd said it would be difficult for Council to fund.

“It’s not the capital costs that would be the killer but the ongoing costs associated with such a project,” Mr Boyd said.

“What Council would need to do is rank and prioritise the indoor pool facility in regards to seeking grant funds because of the competition from other projects within the shire.

“Certainly we won’t get funding unless we do the proper homework.

“This includes looking at the options and costs before then coming back to council,” he said.

Cr Michael Greenwood enquired as to what had become of community funds raised towards a heated pool.

“I remember Cr Yvonne Hutton spearheading an appeal some 18 years ago which if my memory serves me correctly generated some $30,000,” Cr Greenwood said.

Mayor Ken Keith thought the money in question may have gone towards heating the Olympic Pool.

“However, we will check on that Cr Greenwood and get back to you with an answer to your question,” he said.

Cr Kenny McGrath asked if the new hospital proposed for Parkes could help the cause.

“There are certainly heaps of people keen to see a heated pool facility in Parkes.”

However, Cr Keith responded by saying there was a big difference between a heated pool and a therapeutic pool that would go into a hospital.

“There are no plans at this stage for such a pool at the new Parkes Hospital,” Cr Keith said.

Deputy Mayor Cr Alan Ward and Barbara Newton were both happy to support council proceeding with further investigations into the heated pool facility.

“Something has to start somewhere and I’m happy to support the two recommendations from the General Manager,” Cr Ward said.

They included:

* That Council prepare and cost a consultants brief which scopes the required work, with particular attention on minimising long run operational costs.

* Further, that a report then be prepared for Council’s consideration on options to fund the investigation.

Councillors fully endorsed the two recommendations.