Community & Business
24 May, 2023
10-year contract for pool management
PUBLIC pools in the Mareeba Shire and the Dimbulah Caravan park will now be managed by Marlin Coast Swimming and Fitness at a cost of $606,363 a year for the next decade.
The 10-year contract includes the Mareeba and Kuranda Aquatic centres and the Dimbulah pool and caravan park and has come after a lengthy process to find a suitable long-term operator.
The arrangement was approved at last week’s meeting and will commence on 1 July after which council will negotiate with the lessee on the entrance fee to the Mareeba facility.
“Council looks forward to the opening of the Splash Park and I would like to reassure residents and visitors that the entrance fee will remain affordable, and the cost will not increase exponentially,” Mayor Angela Toppin said.
Councillors were also told the usage of the shire’s aquatic centres was on an upward trend this year.
“At a shire level, the patronage at the pools shows a 17 per cent increase compared to March 2022, and a 78 per cent increase when compared to February 2023,” Mayor Toppin said.
“The swimming pools are vital assets for our communities and the health and wellbeing benefits that they bring are remarkable.”
Councillors were also very happy to hear the 50-metre pool and the toddlers pool at the Mareeba centre would be fully heated in the coming months which means the pools would remain open year-round.
The pools will be closed for a short period to undertake maintenance but would not be closed during winter as has been the norm.
“We are delighted to heat the pools as the community has been crying out for this for many years,” Mayor Toppin said.
“The pool heating has been completed in conjunction with the major works at the Mareeba Aquatic Centre to construct the new Splash Park.
“I would like to thank the Queensland Government for their support of this project. Residents and visitors will be reaping the benefits of this project for years to come.”
