By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
Park pool may get multi-million dollar boost…
Doveton’s under-utilised and frequently closed Pool in the Park needs a multi-million dollar upgrade to shore up its survival, say two Casey councillors.
Wayne Smith and Rafal Kaplon, of two neighbouring wards, will request a Casey council report on feasible improvements such as a warm-air bubble to cover the heated Olympic pool and allow access during cooler days at the all-outdoor facility.
Outside of summer, the centre – which boasts a suite of pools, a splash-pad area, two waterslides and abundant lawns – is closed.
An upgrade of about $5-10 million – including a gymnasium, revamped change rooms and a hydrotherapy pool – could be enough to revitalise the centre, the councillors said.
The proposal – with the help of state and federal funding – compares modestly to the $37-million Casey RACE aquatic centre in Cranbourne East, they argue.
Greg McMahon, principal of the neighbouring Doveton College, said he was frustrated by the pool’s untapped potential.
“Outside of school carnivals and 27-degree-plus days (during school terms), the pool is closed – even in summer.
“We’re sitting next door to one of the prime resources in Doveton.
“We can’t get access to the pool.”
Mr McMahon said Doveton College and Hallam Senior College had offered a “big vision” to Casey council, including to operate it themselves partly as an all-seasons high-performance training facility.
It could also be used as an extension to Doveton College’s education, community health and activities programs for all ages from infants to adults, he said.
“We already run 18 services at the college and we have run out of room.”
Cr Smith, who has rebuffed moves in the past for the council to close the 40-year-plus pool, said the pool is well-maintained but dated.
“We need to open it up for discussion. We haven’t done much to revamp it in recent years.
“We’d never contemplate closing it down. The local schools would be so upset.
“You’d be taking away the life blood of the Doveton community.”
Cr Kaplon said the pool was also vital to residents in the nearby suburbs of Endeavour Hills and Hallam, but its summer numbers were small compared to the modern aquatic centres such as ARC and RACE.
He said a revamp was crucial for the pool’s viability, citing the circa-1960s “Scout bush camp” change rooms.
“It should remain in community hands.”
