Swimmers who frequent Beresfield Pool have joined Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery in her call for Newcastle City Council to give the town’s beloved aquatic centre a new life after learning it has an extra $8 million in the kitty.
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Baracudas Swimming Club president Greg Skinner and Ms Hornery called for any extra money to be earmarked for Beresfield Pool as a priority.
Council revealed this week that it had more than $8 million extra after an accounting error had been rectified.
Mr Skinner and Ms Horner believe such funds could mean the pool need never again face an eight-week cut in its summer swimming season to save money.
“I couldn’t think of a better way to spend that money than on Beresfield Pool,” Mr Skinner said.
“And it wouldn’t cost anything like $8 million to ensure the pool’s summer swimming period does not have to face a cut again.”
Ms Hornery said: “If council has so much more money than it thought it had, there would be no need to privatise Beresfield Swimming Pool,” Ms Hornery said.
“Why should our pools suffer if Newcastle Council is not doing as badly as they made us believe?,” she asked.
“It would be a great idea for council to redirect this windfall so they spend money on the pools. “And Beresfield Pool should be a priority.”
Ms Hornery said she was hoping to hear news about the pool at a council meeting last night. “This could hopefully mean a new lease of life for Beresfield Pool after its opening hours were cut last year to save money,” she said.
“If council does have $8 million more than it thought, we need to ask if they are really in so much financial trouble that they need to privatise pools to save.
“I don’t think this is the case and I believe council is trying to fool us.”
