Council staff have prepared four options for the pool, which has been without a diving board since 2007 and is now fenced off due to issues related to risk, non-compliance, costs and maintenance.

The recommended option involves exploring the costs and practicalities of “demolishing the dive pool structure and reinstating it with a zero-depth splash pad with play equipment”.

Other options that have been explored include deepening by lowering the floor of the pool or by raising its sides, and demolishing entirely the pool and replacing it with additional grassed or concreted area for patrons.

Estimated costs for the deepening options are in excess of $1 million. 

Demolishing the pool and grassing or concreting the area is estimated in the council agenda to cost $110,000, while installing a splash pad and play equipment would run to about $550,000.

The splash pad recommendation is in line with AquaZone’s strategy plan for the next 10 years, which identifies “increasing the use of the facility by children and young people through the provision of water play spaces or waterslides” as one of its key priorities.

However, a survey of 1300 residents used to help develop the 2025 strategy plan found 20 per cent of respondents were in favour of renewing the diving pool, compared to 15 per cent in favour of a splash pad. 

The most popular responses were to renew the outdoor 50-metre pool (23 per cent) and expanding the gymnasium (23 per cent). 

Councillors will also discuss at tonight’s meeting: