Fleurieu Aquatic Centre deficit concerns local councillors

February 17, 2020

A deficit of $643,560 in the operation of the Fleurieu Aquatic Centre is concerning the City of Victor Harbor and Alexandrina Councils.

A recent review of the facility’s budget showed the deficit, identified before Council contributions as being $1,318,350 over the year (a $3611.91 deficit per day), within the Fleurieu Regional Aquatic Centre Authority 2019/20 First Quarter Budget.

Built at a cost of over $20 million in cross-council collaboration by the City of Victor Harbor and Alexandrina Council, energy costs are believed to be a significant factor in the facility’s operating costs.

As reported by the Victor Harbor Times, an Alexandrina Council meeting in January heard Councillor Michael Farrier advised “we should be listening to these alarm bells and want a direction that the loss will decrease (and) wWe should be looking more at solar options for the centre to reduce power bills."

At the City of Victor Harbor, Councillors David Kemp and Peter Charles were also reported as being concerned the aquatic centre was a "too bigger drain" on Council finances.

Councillor Kemp commented “the aquatic centre is a burden on our community, but the new Board is trying hard to reduce costs. We are working on some new initiatives to reduce the deficit and make it more manageable.

"Add the deficits from what I call council business undertakings - Horse Drawn Tram $364,000 2019/20 Annual Plan, Whale Centre $282,200 2019/20 Annual Plan, Visitor Information Centre $385,800 2019/20 Annual Plan and the FRAC $700,700 2019/20 Annual Plan and you have a total deficit of $1,732,700.

"In my opinion this is not sustainable as the expenses are increasing yearly and the Council is not showing signs of reducing the deficit of these areas. The Council needs to think strategic on any new major projects and the impact it will have on the community through rate rises. It needs to get their back yard in order in reducing these deficits."

31st January 2020 - Gas bill shock triggers revolution in energy-efficient aquatic centre design

23rd January 2020 - YMCA South Australia achieves Quality Accreditation for all facilities

14th January 2020 - YMCA South Australia appoints David Paterson as new Chief Executive

21st November 2019 - IAKS document charts future global trends for public pools

6th November 2019 - Salti floating fitness sessions to be introduced at Fleurieu Aquatic Centre

26th September 2019 - YMCA South Australia launches reciprocal rights for facility access

1st May 2019 - Tweed Regional Aquatic Centre solar energy installation part of Council Energy Action Plan

14th March 2019 - New Gippsland Regional Aquatic Centre to make use of geothermal energy technology

13th September 2018 - YMCA South Australia to manage new St Clair Recreation Centre

29th May 2018 - Aquatic centres look to increase usage of solar power

23rd March 2017 - Busy weeks of aquatic centre openings

16th January 2017 - YMCA South Australia to manage and operate Port Lincoln Leisure Centre

15th November 2016 - YMCA appointed to manage the Fleurieu Aquatic Centre

26th April 2016 - Fleurieu Regional Aquatic Centre team win leadership award

18th July 2015 - Construction to begin at new Victor Harbor aquatic centre

18th March 2015 - South Australian councils push ahead with $21 million Fleurieu Regional Aquatic Centre plan

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