By JESSE GRAHAM
THE FIGHT to save Healesville’s indoor pool is almost over, with Yarra Ranges councillors tonight deciding whether or not to fill the pool’s deficit for the coming five years.
At tonight’s (Tuesday 12 May) Yarra Ranges Council meeting, a proposal is on the table to fund the Jack Hort Memorial Indoor Pool in Healesville to the tune of $40,000 per year for the next five years.
The item is one of the final steps to ensure the continuation of the pool, which has had an uncertain future after the Mail broke the story in January last year that the facility was running at a heavy loss and was facing closure.
It was reported in 2014 that, unless the pool received about $40,000 to cover its operational deficit, it would likely close before March 2015 – the pool’s 25th birthday.
Though the council originally denied the existence of a joint use agreement about the pool’s funding, it backtracked on these comments and eventually signed off on supplying money to fund the deficit, alongside the pool’s annual $10,000 funding.
Tonight’s council decision would stave off fears of closure, with the deficit at the pool expected to sit at about $40,000 for the coming five years.
However the funding, if approved, would not be used to extend the functional life of the pool, with the council aiming to open a multi-million dollar aquatics facility in Healesville in the future.
Healesville High School Principal George Perini said he was “very satisfied” with the council’s response to last year’s funding.
“The council worked with us closely and they have contributed money – the school was not out of pocket at all, which is fantastic,” he said.
“We would hope that sort of arrangement will continue into the future.”
The pool is located on Education Department land, though the high school receives no additional funding to run the pool, meaning any funds used on the pool would come out of the school’s money for educational activities.
For the full report, visit www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au.
For the full story on the meeting, see next week’s Mail.
