By Danielle Kutchel
Users of Dandenong Oasis leisure centre are urging the council to scrap plans to replace the current 50 metre with a 25 metre pool, as per a plan to revamp the ageing centre.
The City of Greater Dandenong’s draft aquatic strategy includes plans to change the layout of Oasis to add a 25 metre, 10 lane lap pool.
But users of the centre say this would not meet swimmers’ needs.
Spearheaded by Jessica Hong, the group has put together a petition signed by more than 760 people, which was presented to council last month.
Ms Hong told the Journal that the group was disappointed in the council’s consultation process, which they feel has been inadequate.
A document relating to the proposal was printed only in English, potentially locking out residents for whom English is a second language, Ms Hong said.
Ms Hong and others from the group allege that they have been told by council officers involved in the project that the proposed design would lessen the centre’s carbon footprint as it would take less power to heat the pool, and that they should use Noble Park Aquatic Centre’s 50 metre outdoor pool instead.
But the protestors say this is an inadequate solution that would contribute to already heavy congestion in Noble Park, and would inconvenience Oasis patrons who travel from as far away as Knox and Gembrook to use the centre.
They also pointed to the future growth of the region, emphasising that with more families moving into the area, a larger pool would be an asset to the community.
The council had floated the idea of enclosing the pool at NPAC, at a cost of $12 million – compared to $8 million to revamp the existing pool at Oasis.
“We don’t want more stuff, we already have a 50 metre pool, we just want a new 50 here,” Ms Hong said.
Greater Dandenong councillor Maria Sampey said a 25 metre pool at Oasis would be built “over my dead body”.
“This council will not be building a 25 metre pool while I’m alive,” she said.
She said council would consider a 50 metre pool with a boom that would allow the pool to be utilised for different activities, including potentially swimming competitions.
“We want to entice people to come to our city,” she said.
“I can’t see us building a 25 metre pool. We can’t go spending $65 million of ratepayers’ money and put in something less than what it was, that doesn’t make sense.”
The proposal will be put to council on 23 September.
