RESIDENTS have called for the Cleveland Aquatic Centre to be upgraded, rather than taxpayers' money being spent on an Olympic whitewater sports facility.
It comes as Redland City Council revealed it would conduct a feasibility study into a whitewater rafting and kayaking facility that could be used for a potential south-east Queensland Olympics.
Mayor Karen Williams told Redland City Bulletin last month that the project could see the adventure sports facility co-located with an aquatic centre.
Some locals said they would prefer the 40-year-old aquatic centre be restored.
"Not a month goes past without some maintenance issue appearing, so I do not know how the council officer thinks the pools could last another eight years," one resident said.
She said problems included rain water coming through lighting, pool heaters not functioning fully and shower flooring lifting.
"The list is endless and the staff up there are the ones that are copping the flack from unhappy patrons," she said.
In 2017, Redland City Council and Surf Life Saving Queensland signed a memorandum of understanding which would see the centre upgraded and expanded to include a lifesaver training venue.
The deal fell through earlier this year when state and federal governments would not approve funding.
Ormiston resident Malcolm Dufty said uncertainty around the SLSQ deal could have led to a lack of maintenance of the pools and gym.
A council spokesperson said maintenance responsibilities were shared between council and the company that managed the centre under an agreement, and works were being planned to replace pool heaters and upgrade shower floors, among other maintenance works.
The spokesperson said $150,000 a year was allocated to centre maintenance.
One resident said ratepayers' interests surrounding the centre should be a priority.
"The people I frequently see up there would be more interested in this existing facility (being) fully (functional) all the time to accommodate everyday requirements, not some fandangle facility that would only be used by an elite few," she said.
Mr Dufty feared any new facilities might exclude amenities for locals in order to attract outsiders.
"For many of us, the aquatic centre is an important part of maintaining our health and fitness, and the kids' area is a popular recreation facility for young families," he said.
The council spokesperson said the council was committed to providing an upgraded aquatic centre and would engage with the community as the project progressed.
The centre would be maintained until it was decommissioned.
The spokesperson said a refurbishment would cost more than redevelopment. A contemporary aquatic centre could cost about $20 million.