Albury City Council has resolved to defer pursuing tenders for preliminary design of aquatic facilities at the city’s Lauren Jackson Sports Centre until alternative sources of funding become available.
Councillors yesterday voted 5-4 to defer preparations for the request for tender.
Preliminary design for the remainder of planned upgrades at the LJSC will continue to be progressed as per the Stage 2 Masterplan adopted by Council in July 2024, the Council said in a statement following yesterday’s meeting.
Stage 1 of the LJSC redevelopment, worth $15.2 million, is underway. When complete, it will deliver new playing surfaces and compliant courts, additional changerooms, family rooms, function space and increased show court seating capacity.
The Stage 2 preliminary design will include additional multipurpose courts, a major show court and a new foyer, cafe and corporate facilities. Given the scale of the development, it is anticipated that the preliminary design and statutory planning process will take several years, the Council says.
In the meantime, consultation on the Lavington Swim Centre upgrade will continue until 19 November. A report on the outcomes of the consultation and concept design options is expected to be provided to Council in March 2025.
Council’s resolution calls for this report to include the viability of a range of features at the Lavington Swim Centre, including year-round heating, a poolside grandstand and a heated outdoor utility pool for fitness, lifesaving and water polo.
It also allows for consideration to be given to staging the capital elements of the Lavington Swim Centre redevelopment to enable them to be progressed when Council budget and grant funding permits.
