John Bowler’s wishlist for final term as Kalgoorlie-Boulder Mayor

John Bowler has outlined a transformational plan for Kalgoorlie-Boulder’s recreational facilities in what will be his final term as the City’s mayor.

An outdoor pool, a new basketball facility and indoor netball courts will be among key projects Mr Bowler will champion at the helm of the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder over the next four years.

He said with four years of good fiscal management under its belt, the City had the reserves to start delivering some big community projects.

“The growth of basketball is being held back by the lack of courts, and for many years young boys and girls play outdoors in the hot summer Goldfields sun on what are dangerous outdoor courts,” he said.

“It is wrong that our netball girls play out on the cold winter slippery courts. We are doing up the outdoor courts to help there but in the long term, netball should be played more indoors.

“They are the type of things I personally would like to see us look at.”

Mr Bowler has not given up one of his more ambitious long-held plans.

“Some call it a beach, I have called it a beach, I call it now an outdoor pool,” he said.

“We haven’t had an outdoor pool since the famous Lord Forrest Olympic Pool was closed, and Kalgoorlie in summer needs an outdoor pool.

“The heated indoor pool at the Oasis is good for winter and gets good usage, but usage is nowhere near what it should be in summer.”

After being sworn in for his second stint on Monday night, Mr Bowler confirmed this would be his last term as mayor.

He said the re-election of his fellow incumbents was an endorsement of the work done in the past four years.

“There are always the whingers and the complainers who will tell you how bad things are going,” he said.

“To me, the silent majority, the people of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, have spoken.”

Former deputy mayor Allan Pendal was not present on Monday night, but will get a formal farewell in due course.

Outgoing councillor Suzie Williams declared open season on the council.

In response to Mr Bowler’s farewell to her, Ms Williams said she had not enjoyed her time on the council.

She has taken to social media promising to run a commentary on the “dodgy s...” now she is free of council restraints.

Returning Crs Glenn Wilson, Mandy Reidy and Deborah Botica, new councillors David Grills, Terrence Winner and Robert Hicks, and new deputy mayor Lisa Malicky, were all sworn in on Monday night.