The council has started a feasibility study after receiving a damning report that revealed the deteriorating financial condition of local pools.

Mayor John Perry (independent) said Wentworthville, Merrylands and Guildford pools, which the report said were losing almost $2million a year, would be demolished to make way for the new aquatic centre.

``I'm sure the swimming clubs will want to retain their pools but you have to look at the big picture,'' Cr Perry told the Parramatta Sun.

The Mayor also said the sad reality was that it was only a very small percentage of the community who now used the three pools.

Cr Ross Grove (Liberal) agreed.

``Our present system of maintaining three unattractive, 1950s-era pools simply isn't providing value any more for the ratepayers of Holroyd,'' he said. ``Today's pool-user expects more than just a hole in the ground with a couple of jumping blocks and lane markings from one end to the other.

``They go to the pools to have fun and in order to do so they're leaving Holroyd to head down the M4 to the aquatic centre at Homebush.''

Cr Pam Colman (Labor) said Holroyd needed a pool that was more in keeping with the lifestyles of residents.

She said her grandchildren now went to the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre at Homebush Bay.

``It's a much more family-friendly atmosphere,'' she said. ``I think we need to be putting in a multipurpose facility catering not only for the young ones but also for older patrons who would like to use a warmer hydrotherapy facility.''

In undertaking the feasibility study, the council will also consult pool-user groups before making a final decision. ``The reality is that we have to make a hard decision and go ahead with it,'' Cr Perry said.