One vote is all that kept Colac’s hopes for a new basketball stadium alive.
Colac Otway Shire councillors almost voted this week to drop a plan to build a new showcourt at Bluewater Fitness Centre.
The council and sports groups are applying for Federal Government funding for a $7-million upgrade, including the showcourt and a warm-water therapy pool.
But Cr Stephen Hart moved a motion at the council’s December meeting to move the focus to building only the therapy pool, plus upgrading toilets and change rooms.
Three councillors supported the motion, but four voted against it.
Cr Hart said the council should apply for money to build facilities the community would use.
“The report says there would be 40 hours of extra use per year, less than one hour per week,” he said.
“I would have thought there would be demonstrated support for the pool.”
A 2008 feasibility study found the existing two-court stadium could accommodate demand, and a three-court stadium would only attract 40 hours of extra use a year.
But the figure failed to include extra use from basketball, the possible move of badminton to the centre, or use from Colac Secondary College.
The redevelopment would include a third court with spectator seating.
Cr Brian Crook said the pool and stadium could cost up to $7.5 million, up from previous estimates of $6 million.
Cr Crook said the stadium redevelopment only narrowly missed out on funding the last time the council applied.
“The minister encouraged us to re-apply, and gave us some pointers in terms of our application,” he said.
Cr Crook said the council would need to re-negotiate the centre’s use with Colac Secondary College if the redevelopment went ahead.
“That would give us the opportunity to insist on freeing up more time for community usage,” he said.
Cr Chris Smith said the basketball stadium had a good chance of receiving funding.
Cr Smith said Cr Hart’s move would spell the end of a basketball show court in Colac.
Mayor Lyn Russell, who is involved with badminton, said the sport previously used Bluewater but had moved to Colac Showgrounds.
“I’m sure they would love to come back to the stadium,” Cr Russell said.
Cr Crook said the centre dated to 1976.
“It’s a very tired piece of infrastructure in this day and age for this community,” he said.
The funding submission must be with the Federal Government in early January.