The approval of the North Coast Aquatic and Recreation Centre Needs and Feasibility Study has paved the way for the next step, which involves the creation of a detailed and in-depth business case. The need for such a facility in the city's northern corridor was acknowledged in the study, which began in 2018.
According to Mayor Tracey Roberts, the preparation of a thorough business case will give the City a chance to weigh up a number of options. It will also provide information on how to proceed as well as how to meet expectations of the community in regard to the swimming facility and the services it may offer. Many of these are often advertised via marketing strategies such as flyer printing.
She said the establishment of a recreation and aquatic centre had been well supported with 4,213 signatures secured on a petition circulated a year ago. The mayor said such a facility is needed in the area and added:
"In order to ensure this multipurpose facility is future-proof, financially workable and best suited to the needs of the community, the City needs to take a holistic view of all the options available at this point in time, and a thorough business case will allow us to do exactly that."
She said Council is committed to getting the project right.