This week we learned of the written confirmation by the Eurobodalla Council General Manager that the Draft Eurobodalla Aquatic Strategy had been formally adopted by Council during an extraordinary meeting of Council in August. By that strategy Narooma residents can now rest easy that their loved 50m pool is to remain as 50m pool and not be downsized as is the case with the Batemans Bay pool that will see it transformed into a 10 lane 25m lap-pool. There had been concerns that the consultant's opinion that a region with less that 100,000 residents can not financially afford a 50m pool and that such a facility would require heavy subsidies. Irrespective of the lower population numbers and the considerably lower pool visitations at Narooma the councillors have stood by the recommendation to ensure that the shire has a 50m pool and that Narooma shall be the town to provide that facility for training, sports carnivals and inter-regional competition. Irrespective of the anecdotal evidence that most of the elite athletes who train in the Batemans Bay pool attend the Ulladulla pool benefiting from the 50m and the year round coaching the councillors are adamant that once the Batemans Bay 50m pool closes for the last time at the end of this season those athletes along with all the school groups will travel to Narooma for their 50m needs. The now adopted Eurobodalla Aquatic Strategy now formally endorses what the Narooma residents have long wanted to hear. The Strategy states (page 43): Narooma Swimming Centre currently has a 50m indoor pool servicing the community. Further, the Centre is proposed to be positioned as the Shire’s swimming carnival and events facility. On this basis, the need to replace the existing indoor 50m pool once it reaches the end of its useful life with another 50m enclosed pool is considered necessary. Ramp access into the pool will improve accessibility for people with disabilities, older adults and persons with an injury. An expanded concourse and spectator seating is necessary in order to better service the larger number of participants and spectators that gather for aquatic events. Funding of $350,000 for the development of leisure water is already committed. When the pool reaches the end of its useful asset life, replace with an enclosed 50m x 20m (8 lane) pool, ramp access, moveable bulkhead and new plant and expand concourse and spectator seating when the pool is eventually replaced (within Medium Term: 6 – 10 years) by the report) Both the Mayor and Councillor Constable have already made solid statements around the vision for the Narooma Pool. In November 2017 Mayor Innes and Councillor Constable confirmed their support for the Narooma pool facility "as the Shire’s premier swimming facility announcing that Eurobodalla Shire is working on a master plan to improve the entire Narooma inlet foreshore area that includes the swimming pool complex.." (Narooma News) The newspaper report said that "Clr Innes, after a recent visit to Narooma,even had the idea of knocking down one of the Narooma pool building walls to open the facility to the magnificent inlet views." From that same article "Clr Phil Constable said the council had invested significantly in refurbishing the Narooma pool, including a new pool bottom just in the past year, and it would continue to be the shire’s premier swimming venue.What’s more, he said he was excited about the Narooma pool’s long-term future as the council had applied for a grant for a master plan to redevelop the whole inlet foreshore area, including the pool, sports and leisure centre, town wharf, NATA Oval and visitor information centre." The report added "Clr Innes, who attended the opening of the Montague Arts and Crafts Society studio at the Narooma Men’s Shed on Saturday, said she believed the Narooma pool would continue as the shire’s premier venue for events that required a 50m facility.During a recent visit to the pool, she had a vision of knocking out the building wall that faced the inlet, which would allow pool users to take in the stunning view."
