By Lia Bichel
IT’S sink or swim for the Noble Park ‘More Than Just a Pool’ project.
The Greater Dandenong council needs to be thrown a lifeline for the highly anticipated project to stay afloat.
And today, Dandenong Star has launched the ‘Splash the Cash’ campaign in conjunction with the City of Greater Dandenong, asking the State Government to do just that.
The campaign urges the State Government to provide $2.8 million in funding for an indoor pool and recreation component of the project.
The State Government previously chipped in $500,000 of $17.7 million for stage one of the project, which includes a new 50-metre outdoor pool, new water play areas for children and youth, multi-purpose community spaces, new barbecue and picnic areas and shading.
The Australian Government provided $7.2 million and the council supplied $10 million for Stage one.
But without additional funding, Stages two and three of the project may not occur.
City of Greater Dandenong Director of Community Services Mark Doubleday said the indoor warm water pool component would cost $4 million and the council was asking the State Government for $1 million. If received, the council would fund the remaining $3 million.
Stage three of the project would include a youth precinct with volleyball courts, basketball courts and a skate park worth $1.8million. The council is asking the State Government to provide the full amount.
“This is one of our major projects for the city and we have put a considerable amount of time and energy into it,” Mr Doubleday said.
“We have got some very strong feedback from consultations with the community and many nearby schools.
“It would benefit the multicultural community.
“Young people are looking for a very positive way in which they can have unstructured use of open space, and we would be very happy to have it in Noble Park.”
Mr Doubleday said the completed project would generate a number of social and economic benefits as it was in a central location, near the railway and very accessible to the public.
“It would be an important step in Noble Park to create jobs, attract visitors and turn around what is sadly many people’s poor perception of the community,” he said.
The project is expected to create a 75 per cent increase in usage of the facility from across the south-eastern region, a 77 per cent increase in employment from 14 positions to 58, a 76 per cent increase in programs to the community, a 67 per cent increase in the hours of operation, and all year-round access to the pool facilities. Increased use will allow entrance fees to remain at an affordable rate.
For more stories about how the Noble Park ‘More than just a pool’ project would benefit Greater Dandenong and surrounding residents, turn to page 6.
Upcoming editions of Dandenong Star will continue to provide stories featuring people or agencies who will benefit from stage two and three of the project.
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