A community group is pressing ahead with plans for a multimillion-dollar indoor aquatic centre.
The Maleny Indoor Aquatic Centre Steering Group is developing plans and a business case for a proposed year-round facility in Maleny, where the community lost access to the Maleny Centenary Pool in 2020.
The not-for-profit group has set a $15 million fundraising target, with its fundraising site showing just more than $1000 raised so far.
Sunshine Coast Council acknowledged strong community interest in an aquatic facility and said it was aware of the steering group’s proposal within the Maleny Community Precinct.
President Kim Easton said considerable work was needed before the proposed centre could progress.
“An indoor pool, as you could imagine, costs in the many millions of dollars and the planning has so far cost tens of thousands,” she said.
“The full design will be in the hundreds of thousands and that is where the group is at and needs to raise this so the relative authorities can sign off.
“This will need some big input, by one and all, to deliver an indoor aquatic centre to the Maleny and district community for their health and wellbeing.”
Ms Easton said the push for a replacement aquatic facility stretched back more than two decades, including work undertaken with the former Caloundra City Council.
“Presently, the group is working with Sunshine Coast Council to obtain a lease for the facility,” she said.
For local resident Jon Henzell, the absence of a nearby pool has affected how his family accesses swimming lessons.
“It’s forcing us to drive an hour for the next closest pool for teaching our son to swim. It is not only inconvenient but increased fuel costs,” he said.
“It’s taking away the option for local leisure. Some may decide to not swim or offer lessons to their family.”
Mr Henzell believed a local facility would have benefits beyond swimming.
“It would provide the community with equal opportunities of other councils,” he said.
“It would bring people together for a sense of community and offer kids the chance to swim without having to travel. And it would provide employment opportunities.”
A council spokesperson said the proposal remained at concept stage and was unfunded, with the council’s role primarily involving management of the land and its responsibilities as planning authority.
“For community-led projects of this nature, funding pathways may include grants from other levels of government, philanthropic funding, partnerships, fundraising initiatives, private investment or a combination of funding sources,” the spokesperson said.
“While council is aware of advocacy efforts seeking support from other levels of government, any discussions regarding potential state government funding would be a matter for the respective proponents and funding agencies.”
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The spokesperson said council’s position was guided by long-term planning and service needs across the region.
“A feasibility study, considered by council in 2018, found a council-funded aquatic centre in Maleny was not justified based on existing aquatic facilities, along with existing and forecast demand,” they said.
“Accordingly, Council has not allocated funding for an aquatic facility in Maleny through its capital works program.
“Council continues to support community access to aquatic facilities through existing regional and district level infrastructure, including the Beerwah Aquatic Centre, and has historically supported community access arrangements for the Maleny State School pool.”
Donations to the Maleny Indoor Aquatic Centre campaign can be made through the Australian Sports Foundation.
