Club awaits financial decision

Newman Amateur Swimming Club members are crossing all their fingers and toes as they wait to hear whether the Shire of East Pilbara will support the club over the next five years.

At the July ordinary council meeting, councillors reviewed a request to further support the club by providing free lane hire at the Newman Aquatic Centre during opening hours up to the value of $5000 as well as free pool entry for club members.

The club is also seeking a $3600 subsidy for use of the centre outside the normal opening hours for the 2017-18 swimming season.

In 2013 the council had agreed to offer free lane hire to the club during normal opening hours of the centre as well as a further subsidy of $3500 for out of hours use.

In addition to this, club members also received free entry to the centre for club sessions.

At the October, 2015, council meeting councillors also endorsed a further subsidy to the club of approximately $3500 for out of hour use of the centre.

The proposed 2017-18 fees and charges for the centre will charge $15 an hour for lane hire and $280 per hour for out of hours use.

According to the Shire, last financial year the Shire had subsidised $11,293 of the club’s fees and charges.

If the council agrees to increase the support for the club, it will come at a cost of $14,600 and will continue annually until the 2022-23 financial year.

The council meeting was held on July 28 but the club had yet to be contacted at the time of print on the status of their request.