 The new Andrew Boy Charlton Indoor Swim Centre opens at the end of the month and yet Councillors still have not been provided with a business plan, despite repeated requests from the Independent Councillors.
At a recent Planning & Strategy meeting, consistent questions by Councillor Candy Bingham querying the costs of the new centre, and projected revenue, were met with a tirade by the Mayor Jean Hay that "such consistent negative comments are a disgrace". But the answers still have not been provided nor a business plan provided. "One has to wonder how the staff have come to the conclusion that a small gym operating in the centre, will attract hundreds of memberships at $2,776.40 pa with the cost of classes then to be at an extra fee. Clearly comparisons with other local gyms (of which there are about 15 at last count) has not been undertaken otherwise the fee proposed would be halved", Clr Bingham said. Apparently the Council will run all programs at the Swim Centre with the cost of lane hire expected to be prohibitive to existing community groups and established squads. Participants are also required to pay an entry fee. Warren Riley, who has been swimming at the Boy Charlton Pool since it opened is dismayed. He and fellow "While I have been vocal about whether the community really needed a new indoor swim centre of this size, nonetheless, now that we have it, it is important that it is accessible to the whole community. After all, we now have six pools, a steam room, sauna, spa and gym as well as a creche. Surely it makes sense to provide these facilities at a reasonable price to ensure that the swim centre remains profitable and popular", Clr Bingham concluded. Will you use the new swim centre?
9 Comments
Don Walker
4/5/2016 03:11:54 pm
Is it any wonder that Mayor Hay thinks that asking constructive questions about the new Swimming Pool Centre are a disgrace. Would be terrible if the truth got out about the incompetent management of this project became public knowledge and the inability of the GM Wong and Mayor Hay to understand the failure of their own making in not being able to be honest with the rate payers. Makes one very scared about the actual full costs of the proposed Oval carpark said to be $27 million when the initial estimate for the pool blew out from $16 million to an amount said to exceed $26 million. If one compares the costing for the new PCYC in DEE WHY which is said to cost $27 million with the construction of an underground building for the carpark someone is not telling the truth.
Bruce Webb
7/5/2016 09:54:37 am
This is not surprising, the council couldn't even get the Lifeguards Station at the end of the corso built on time and God knows how much they blew that budget out especially after they sacked the first contractor.
Michelle
12/5/2016 06:54:14 am
This was expected really. New oversized facilities that are well beyond the core need of the majority of the community and then yes let's just ask the ratepayers who didn't want it in the first place to pay for it. You don't have to be Einstein to have seen this coming! How are families going to afford this on a weekly basis. We will be heading to the beach. Watch out for the huge fees for parking at the manly oval plus the increase in rates.
Barbara B evan
12/5/2016 07:42:30 am
M y fees are $500pa and I do aquarobics 3 or 4 times a week and use a gym with excellent equipment. Andrew Charlton pool has always been overpriced and no parking makes it impossible
roth miller
12/5/2016 09:32:12 am
As a regular swimmer at the Boy Charlton pool I have watched with dismay the progress of the swim centre additions. I don't believe there was ever a clear case argued by council that such an expansion of the centre was warranted. That aside I agree with Warren Riley's comments, as all Manly rate payers are now stake holders in this project it is the council's responsibility such an investment is strongly utilised by as a wide as cross section of the community as possible & not become an exclusive club for the well heeled.
roth miller
12/5/2016 09:32:19 am
As a regular swimmer at the Boy Charlton pool I have watched with dismay the progress of the swim centre additions. I don't believe there was ever a clear case argued by council that such an expansion of the centre was warranted. That aside I agree with Warren Riley's comments, as all Manly rate payers are now stake holders in this project it is the council's responsibility such an investment is strongly utilised by as a wide as cross section of the community as possible & not become an exclusive club for the well heeled.
Gabriele
12/5/2016 09:32:49 pm
I can't afford this 'palace of eternal youth' & will continue to swim in the sea which keeps me fit & healthy without chlorine & other hazards....
Jonathan Westley
13/5/2016 04:16:13 pm
With lack of patronage and failed business plan, the pool may as well be mothballed and then referred to as 'Manly Dry Docks'.
warren r riley
23/5/2016 01:58:10 pm
Manly Council don't get much right. Firstly the overdevelopment of what was one of the best pool complexes in Sydney and the guarantee that nothing would change. Then we get the massive cost overrun and the huge intrusion on the local residents and the dangerous and inadequate parking arrangements. Add to that the increased pool entry and the ludicrous gym fees and the sacking of Narelle Simpson, who was an icon of swimming throughout Sydney and produced numerous Australian champions including an Olympian. They claimed that she would be able to rent lanes if she wanted the, Now we find that Carlile have been give her lanes. So much for fostering local talent and loyalty to long serving servants. Leave a Reply. |
AuthorCandy Bingham, Deputy Mayor & Manly Ward Councillor on Northern Beaches Council. Background in marketing, public relations and community engagement. Author of five business books. Former Lady Mayoress of Sydney. Aka Candy Tymson. ........................................
View Videos
|
RSS Feed
|
Contact our team |
Site design by Manly Mac Art.
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the Northern Beaches and pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.
Authorised by Jonathan Trope, 1/90 Lauderdale Ave, Fairlight 2094