AN “abysmal balls-up” is how Cockburn councillor Steve Portelli describes the latest failed attempt by his council to choose a name for its flagship aquatic and recreation facility at Central West.

The $109 million centre, part of which will be the new Fremantle Dockers HQ, will include an arena with several pools, a water playground and six basketball courts and gym.

The naming process has been anything but smooth sailing: originally the council consulted with just 33 residents on 200 names, with no Aboriginal names on the shortlist.

It emerged the council paid The Brand Agency — whose CEO is Dockers president Steve Harris —$15,829 to stage just three small focus groups.

The council was set to decide on a name Thursday, but councillors still couldn’t agree and instead commissioned a $6160 phone poll this week, asking 1000 residents if they preferred Cockburn ARC (aquatic recreation centre) or STAR (sports, training, aquatic and recreation) Centre Cockburn.

Mayor Logan Howlett says the council voted for a poll because residents were previously confused and thought they were choosing a name for the Dockers’ new HQ.

“I am sure this will disappear once the facility is open and that both the city and the Fremantle Football Club will benefit from being co-located,” he says.

A special council meeting will be held next week to — fingers crossed — pick a name.

Cr Portelli describes the naming process as an “abysmal balls-up” from start to finish.

“We should have consulted widely with the community over a six-month period,” he says.

“Something like a naming competition and input from schools would have given the community a real sense of ownership. This is meant to be the city’s flagship facility and we should have given it maximum time and respect.”

Council spruiker Samantha Seymour-Eyles says the poll won’t delay the handover of the facility.

by STEPHEN POLLOCK