The draft Dubbo Aquatic Leisure Centre Master Plan 2017-2036 has been developed as a framework for future developments at the pool.

Members of the public will be given the opportunity to provide feedback on the plan. Dubbo Regional Council will also speak to the Dubbo RSL and any Learn to Swim providers in the city.

In the master plan, council’s senior strategic planner Lee Griffith has outlined four options for a possible indoor pool at the site.

“The ideal location for a new indoor pool has been identified at the eastern side of the Aquatic Centre which is currently underutilised due to the location of the existing water slide,” Mr Griffith said.

“The facility would enable use all year round to meet the demand of the community, including lap swimming, learn-to-swim programs, aqua aerobics classes, water polo and synchronised swimming. Any new indoor pool would also include a disabled access ramp with rails for wheelchair access.”

INDOOR POOL OPTIONS:

Mayor Ben Shields has previously said the current closure of the indoor pool at the Dubbo RSL was an opportunity for council to look into its own indoor pool options.

“I am not in any way proposing to go into direct competition with the Dubbo RSL Club….whatever we do do at our pool we should make it a point of difference to what the RSL has to offer. Whether they go down the road of being purely sporting and indoor lap swimming and we look at recreational, family fun options or whatever we should make sure we have collaboration with the RSL to make sure we’re not in direct competition with them,” Cr Shields said.

The draft master plans also includes suggestions such as expanding the car park to 128 spaces, re-locating the water slide and trialing a pop-up eatery within the centre.

“In the short term the outdoor gym equipment currently adjacent to the kiosk could be relocated elsewhere in Victoria Park to enable an expansion of the kiosk area to include cafe-style and outdoor dining in Victoria Park, while also serving patrons,” Mr Griffiths said.

“A trial of a pop-up eatery could be undertaken in this precinct to gauge whether a redevelopment of the kiosk into a more permanent cafe or restaurant could be successful in this area overlooking the children’s splash pad, leisure pool and Victoria Park.”

Although it has been well maintained, the demolition of the caretakers residence has also be proposed for 2018 or 2019.

Once the consultation period is completed, a new report on the plans for the pool will be presented to council.