Cr Bill Jayet has pushed ahead in an attempt to make an indoor heated swimming pool a reality for Parkes one day in the future.
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He has said before he's received numerous requests from people in the community for the construction of an indoor pool, and took further notice of residents' responses on social media when discussions resurfaced at Parkes Shire Council's March meeting.
Cr Jayet informed his fellow councillors he would be making a proposal at council's May 18 meeting, held in Peak Hill, regarding an indoor heated pool.
His motion was for council to create a specific financial reserve to support the delivery of a major infrastructure facility such as an indoor heated swimming pool.
He also proposed that a minimum 15 per cent of net increase in annual reserves - from council's General Fund only - be attributed to the infrastructure fund.
"Council does have a demonstrated history of successfully building reserves for major infrastructure, such as the newly built water and sewage treatment plants," Cr Jayet said.
"To position our community for the future I believe we should establish a specific reserve for major infrastructure such as an indoor pool.
"It would be a great way to move forward into the next term of the next council... that the community knows we are on their side in regards to this issue.
"I am aware that an indoor pool committee was formed, and considerable investigation has occurred, and also that the operational costs for such a facility can be significant.
"Staff have indicated that if a pool were built now, the operational costs to run the pool would have a significant effect on other services."
Cr Jayet believes an indoor heated pool is likely to be raised at council's Community Consultative meetings prior to the next election, due to take place in September.
The motion was supported by council staff as a recommendation and attracted a 7-2 voting result among councillors, with Cr Ken McGrath and Cr Alan Ward the two opposing. Cr Wally Biles was absent at the meeting.
Cr McGrath said there was no way council could afford $16 million for an indoor pool and that it was a waste of money to employ consultants and not go ahead with the build.
He also mentioned there was a private developer "here now" who wanted to build a fitness facility with a heated pool and that council should be helping him and "not stand in his way".
"As the community grows it is hoped the private sector will build these facilities, and if so, the reserve can be deployed elsewhere. However, we need to start saving now so we can be prepared for the future," Cr Jayet said.
Cr Ward admitted he was worried about what they were committing to given they were also investigating the town's flooding issues after January's supercell storm that had impacted so many.
"To me that's a priority," he said.
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