A RAFT of changes to the running of the Port Fairy swimming pool is expected in the wake of an audit into its operations.
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Moyne Shire Council ordered the examination of Belfast Aquatics’ operations and finances, partly to see whether there was any hope of the pool committee repaying a $100,000 interest-free loan leant to them by the council in 2007.
The audit, carried out by national accountancy firm Pitcher Partners, highlighted the enthusiasm and commitment of the facility’s staff and committee.
However it detailed a large number of issues with Belfast Aquatics, including that the pool “currently appears to require the assistance of the full council contribution (of $150,000 per year) in order to remain viable”.
Moyne Shire Council only approved the pool’s construction in 2006 on the proviso it ran autonomously and did not need further funding from the shire. In September 2008, less than 16 months after the facility opened, the pool committee asked Moyne Shire for a $50,000 bail-out, claiming the $2 million facility was within a week of having to close unless the council helped.
According to Pitcher Partners’ audit, the Belfast Aquatics Committee had been providing incomplete financial accounts, failing to document employees’ hours or pay rates, and had no due process for recruiting, paying or training staff.
The auditors also expressed concern about the pool’s insurance arrangements, its capacity to undertake much-needed capital works given “the low quality materials used to build the facility”.
In his report to council, shire director of physical services Trev Greenberger said there were a range of options before the council in response to the audit.
The options include allowing the current committee to implement recommendations from the audit, the council to take over running the facility from July 1, and council withdrawing its subsidy of the facility having no further involvement.
Supporting the current committee and allowing it to implement the recommendations is seen as having the best chance of allowing Belfast Aquatics to repay the $100,000 loan over the next five years.
It is also seen as the most financially viable model for the pool at present but the council will vote on their preferred option at Tuesday night’s meeting in Port Fairy.
