It would cost about $1 million to build two pools and install water filtration units, the board was told yesterday, and chairman Stephen Jeffery said that was unaffordable.
Central Otago District Council's aquatic centres manager Gary Easthope said the estimated cost was for a complex comprising two pools - a 25m by 9m lane pool and a 15m by 15m learners-therapeutic pool.
The estimate excluded the cost of a heating system, pool covers, an office, changing room facilities, plant room, pool surround surface, landscaping or fencing, project management costs or ongoing operational costs.
"The scary thing is what we don't get for that price," Mr Jeffery said.
"Can we afford two pools? I don't think so. We may be able to afford one, and then maybe we can get the whole thing up for a million."
The board has looked at various options for a new swimming pool for the past five years and decided yesterday to proceed with detailed costings for a single pool, 15m by 15m, with a 10m by 4.5m extension added for lane swimmers.
"It needs to be a community pool. I don't think we need an Olympic training facility," board member John Lane said.
An amount of $1 million has been allowed in the long-term council community plan for the project and the board hoped the pool complex would be run by a trust, rather than its operation being funded through rates.
The board agreed to spend up to $2000 for a report on what was required to bring the pool buildings and surrounds up to standard for the coming summer.
If its condition was too poor, one option was for swimmers to use other pools in the district until the new facility was built.
The Roxburgh Area School board secretary and school principal Gary Pasco said it would be unsatisfactory for pupils to have an hour's travelling time for swimming lessons.
