Aquatic tenders to be called

Gosford Council will call tenders for the construction of the Regional Aquatic Centre at Woy Woy even though essential State funding for the project has not been secured.

The council has not heard whether it will receive a grant under the Regional Sports Facilities Funding Program or funding from the NSW Department of Transport for associated road works.

Council staff have been asked to report on the options available should its funding submissions be unsuccessful.

The council will also write an open letter to Premier Mr Bob Carr, Minister for Central Coast Mr John Della Bosca and Member for Peats Ms Marie Andrews, seeking a commitment to fund the project.

Council staff have also been asked to report on the projected operating deficit for the facility.

Council was told the aquatic centre originally was included in council's 1997 Financial Strategy as a project to develop the Peninsula Youth and Recreation Facility with an allocation of $1.5 million.

The scope of this project had changed over time and several new elements incorporated.

The Regional Aquatic centre is now at the detailed design and documentation phase.

The project has been overseen by a building committee comprising the mayor, councillors, Council officers and community representatives.

The original proposal was to develop a two-court sports hall as the first stage of an integrated wet and dry leisure facility on the existing Woy Woy Pool site.

Through prospective savings in the Financial Strategy, a $2 million budget was proposed and a brief developed to appoint an architect for design and documentation of the centre.

In July 2000 four architectural firms responded to the design brief and provided detailed fee proposals and the council appointed Michael Davies Associates following a presentation.

Subsequently, council reconsidered the proposed staging of the project and proposed an amended project budget of $7 million.

In considering advice concerning the condition of the existing pools, council resolved to endorse the option including an indoor 50 metre pool on 5 March 2002.

Council's decisions to develop the whole facility in one stage, to incorporate new pools in the facility and then adopt the indoor 50 metre pool option has resulted in a total project budget of $16.35 million.

The balance of funds has been raised through an extraordinary rate increase.

Council agenda CS.004, January 28