Barrier Daily Truth

Mayor, deputy at odds on pool fee

Saturday, 28th January, 2012

By Kurtis Eichler

Rising admission costs at the multi-million dollar Regional Aquatic Centre could hit attendance, according to City Council’s new Deputy Mayor.

Admission prices to the newly-refurbished site will remain at $2 while a Council report detailing revised fees and charges is put on display for 28 days.

Smart cards, multi-entry savings and pensioner discounts are just some of the options being considered as alternatives to $2 fees.

Councillor Bob Algate, who was elected Deputy Mayor this week, said the proposed hike in fees to $4 could drive people away.

Clr Algate said even if people were to buy passes, they’ll be paying up to $3.13 a time.

“There will be a detrimental affect on attendance,” he said.

Pensioners were a big concern for Clr Algate who said many would struggle to afford any increase in pool admission, especially when the centre has drawcards for them including a Hydrotherapy pool.

Passes for up to 120 days, he said, could cost up to $130.

“There are a lot of pensioners that couldn’t put their finger on that type of money.”

“We should be trying to organise a range of programs that we don’t have like aquarobics.”

But Mayor Wincen Cuy a the $2 entry fee was too low for the quality of the new facility.

He said the sooner he could ratify the changes, the better.

“We spent $10 million on upgrades to the Aquatic Centre over the last four to five years,” Mayor Cuy explained.

“If I used it four times a year I’d be happy to pay $4.”

Mayor Cuy said that if fewer people attended the pool because of the higher charge it would be relatively few, perhaps five to 10 per cent.

“I don’t think it will stop people,” he said.