Council will press ahead with plans to investigate construction of the Tweed’s first indoor sports centre – including a 50 metre Olympic-sized pool.
The confidential report was unanimously endorsed by Councillors at their meeting today and gives the green light for Council to undertake further investigations and analysis for a regional indoor sports facility, including the feasibility of a 50m Olympic-sized pool.
The report was heard in a confidential session of the Council meeting due to significant commercial information contained within the proposal which might prejudice the project.
The regional indoor sports facility is highlighted as a priority in the draft Sport and Active Recreation Strategy 2023 – 2033, which underwent extensive community consultation last year and was endorsed by Councillors at their meeting tonight for final public consultation.
Council’s Director Sustainable Communities Naomi Searle said the need for an indoor sports centre, as well as a new 50 metre pool for the Tweed, had long been identified as a priority, with a proposal outlined to Councillors at a workshop in February this year.
“We are really excited to be given the go-ahead tonight to begin a feasibility study into looking into the best location to deliver a state-of-the-art indoor sports centre for the Tweed,” Ms Searle said.
“We are a growing regional city and we know such facilities are vital to supporting a vibrant and thriving community.
“We presented our ideas to Councillors at a workshop earlier this year and are pleased to be able to be given the green light to press ahead with these plans.”
Under the current proposal, the new indoor sports facility would include up to six multi-use courts to support sports such as basketball, and a new aquatic space.
Ms Searle said the next step would be to commission a feasibility study into the scope, location, and financial analysis for the new centre, with four options on the table including locations at the current Tweed Regional Aquatic Centre (TRAC) at South Tweed, Arkinstall Park also at South Tweed, Kings Forest subdivision, and Depot Road at Kings Forest.
“We are keen for the feasibility study to get underway as soon as possible. We are looking at locations in the northern end of the Tweed for this facility due to the population base, good public transport and need for a new aquatic centre in this area,” she said.
“Council owns and operates the Tweed Regional Aquatic Centre in South Tweed which is more than 50 years old and approaching its end of useful life. There will be a need to undertake significant upgrades or complete refurbishment of this facility, which is why it is one of the locations we will be investigating for this new centre.”
The proposed centre is currently unfunded and dependent upon support from the State and Federal governments as well as developer contributions.
