By Shaun Inguanzo
NOBLE Park’s outdoor swimming pool will receive a $10 million makeover and the Dandenong Oasis a $24 million one – but Keysborough residents won’t have anywhere to splash about in their own town.
The Greater Dandenong Council this week revealed details of its long term aquatic facilities plan that will see the Noble Park Memorial Swim Centre redeveloped as a priority at the cost of $9.6 million, with the council banking on government funding.
Greater Dandenong sport and leisure manager Lynette While said the redevelopment would be completed in five years.
The report given to councillors at Monday night’s meeting revealed that Noble Park’s 50 metre pool, water slide and splash pool are all in urgent need of replacement.
Also at the end of their life spans are the pool’s water treatment plant and electrical wiring.
The Dandenong Oasis will receive a $2.7 million stop-gap to upgrade the spa and provide much-needed maintenance, before the council begins to investigate a proposed $24 million revamp of the entire facility.
But what is not clear is whether Springers Leisure Centre in Keysborough will receive aquatic facilities.
Any such plan would hinge on a partnership with the neighbouring City of Kingston or private fitness providers, and would likely be limited to a hydrotherapy pool for rehabilitation purposes.
The council report said that providing a third aquatic outlet would cost ratepayers $8 million.
“Whilst the provision of learn to swim and hydrotherapy facilities does not appear to currently be financially viable, the survey of users at Springers did show support for the provision of hydrotherapy facilities,” the report said.
Ms While did not reveal exactly where the council was planning to install new hydrotherapy facilities.
“Council will investigate hydrotherapy facilities as part of its long-term plan for aquatic development in Greater Dandenong,” she said.
Keysborough Ward councillor Roz Blades urged the council to install the pool at Springers, and said that it should not be neglected on the basis it was the most modern of the three facilities.
>>>Are you happy with the council’s plans to redevelop Noble Park and Dandenong swimming pools, but leave Keysborough in the cold? What would you like to see, and where?
Send your thoughts to The Editor, Greater Dandenong Star, PO Box 9 Pakenham VIC 3810, or email editor@starnewsgroup.com.au
