General News
10 September, 2024
Pools - Cost and benefit of investment
THE community accepts fewer facilities if facilities are of high quality, according to the draft recreation open space and aquatic strategy put out for public comment by Loddon Shire this week. The strategy said: “While a significant portion of...
THE community accepts fewer facilities if facilities are of high quality, according to the draft recreation open space and aquatic strategy put out for public comment by Loddon Shire this week.
The strategy said: “While a significant portion of respondents are willing to pay higher rates to maintain current sport and recreation facilities, a slightly larger group would accept fewer but higher-quality facilities, indicating a preference for prioritising maintenance and enhancement of existing infrastructure over new developments.”
The draft also talks of the burdening “cost versus benefit” of Loddon’s five swimming pools.
“There needs to be a careful evaluation of investment in aquatic facilities to ensure they align with community needs and provide significant value relative to their cost.
“The community desire to see council spending increase in sport and active recreation suggests a need for prioritising budget allocations towards provision of sport and active recreation in Loddon Shire to promote physical activity, social engagement, and community cohesion,” the strategy says that proposes improvements and reviews at more than 60 reserves and open space areas.