A GROUP pushing for an indoor heated pool in Molong will be asked to calculate operational costs and the lifespan of the facility’s components before Cabonne Council will consider the proposal.
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Molong Advancement Group has been working towards the project in recent months, but the issue came the council’s attention at a meeting last week when a letter from MAG sub-committee member Belinda Mills asked what information the council required to support the project.
“Our aim is to make the facility pay for itself as much as possible so that the ongoing costs… would not be more [than] what is currently being spent on the existing Molong Pool,” the letter said.
Mrs Mills estimated construction costs at $5-7 million, including solar panels, geothermal heating and a conference room for training.
However, a report to the council pointed out the proposed site on Phillip Street, opposite Molong Central School, was subject to a native title claim, still under consideration with the NSW Aboriginal Lands Council.
Councillors resolved to advise MAG to confirm the land was available, determine the cost and expected lifespan of each of the components within the proposed complex, as well as projected operational costs.
The report to the council said the total running costs of the Blayney pool, gymnasium and indoor sports centre recovered $426,000 a year in user fees, but still had to outlay $608,000.
MAG spokeswoman Marj Bollinger said the project was still in the early stages and the council’s response would be discussed at the group’s meeting next week.
“There are still many hurdles ahead before we are in a position to apply for funding for construction to begin but nothing is impossible if you want to achieve it badly enough,” she said.
Mrs Bollinger said MAG’s sub-committee would investigate opportunities to ensure the project was financially sustainable and fulfilled the community’s needs.
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