PROHIBITIVE cost remains the ongoing barrier for Indigo Shire Council to fund an indoor swimming pool facility in Beechworth at more than $14 million.

At council’s Tuesday night meeting, CEO Trevor Ierino said a feasibility study undertaken by council and released in October 2021 had been considered and acknowledged in the December council meeting of that year, but significant cost and investment had prevented further action.

Mr Ierino said strong support for the indoor heated pool by the Beechworth community had been noted in council’s resolution.

The study had focused on three options for the Beechworth Pool with replacement of pool structures at the existing site, a new outdoor facility at the existing or an alternative site, and a new indoor pool facility at the existing or an alternative site.

In the resolution at the December 2021 meeting, council had acknowledged significant cost and investment involved not-with-standing the strong support for a new facility by the Beechworth community, any proposal to replace the existing Beechworth pool was not feasible.

Mr Ierino said council had prioritised advocacy to the state and federal governments to address issues of replacement or upgrades to aquatic facilities, and creating enhanced funding programs which could reduce the cost to small rural shires when faced with aquatic facility replacements or upgrades.

Funding from the state and federal government was to be sought from other agencies to support option two for a first stage one development ($10m) at the existing Beechworth Pool site.

A petition to push for an indoor swimming pool gathered more than 300 signatures in a month, which prompted the question at council's meeting.

Mr Ierino said funding to be allocated in the 2022/2023 budget for replacement to existing Beechworth Swimming Pool liner and other capital works as a solution to ensure the pool remained operational in the short to medium period had been done but has been carried over to the 23/24 budget.

“The pool liner is currently out for tender and should be installed before the new swimming season starts,” he said.

The CEO said pools are extremely expensive, with heated indoor pools even more expensive.

“It's extremely difficult for small shires to afford to replace their pools,” he said.

“The reality is that grant programs rarely provide funds for pools and the best we can access is a State Government one which provides up to $2 million for recreation facilities.

“For us to find the balance is quite cost prohibitive.”

Mr Ierino said both he and mayor Sophie Price have been strongly advocating for funds on a regular basis.

He said the pair had met with Independent Federal Member for Indi Helen Haines again last week.

“We've honoured the decision for advocacy and are always advocating for the $10 million as best we can,” he said.