By Danielle Kutchel
A group of Dandenong Oasis swimmers who took on the council over its proposed redevelopment of the facility are elated and relieved after securing a 50 metre lap pool into the future.
Council officers had recommended that the slated rebuild of the ageing Dandenong Oasis centre include a 25 metre lap pool instead of the current 50 metre facility.
But the swimmers weren’t impressed with the recommendation.
Spearheaded by Jessica Hong, they put together a petition signed by more than 760 people and presented it to council in August.
The proposal was put to a vote at the council meeting on Monday 23 September, where councillors voted unanimously to keep a 50 metre pool at Oasis.
According to the council’s Aquatic Strategy, a new multipurpose aquatic and leisure facility will be constructed at Mills Reserve to replace Oasis.
This centre will include a 50 metre, eight lane pool with a moveable boom or swim wall, so that the lap pool can be utilised as two 25 metre pools if needed.
Ms Hong said the group was excited that they had been listened to, and said they “couldn’t have achieved it” without the support of Cr Maria Sampey, who championed their cause.
At a meeting between the group and Cr Sampey, some users expressed concerns that the boom would be in place for too long during pool opening times, potentially restricting the 50 metre facility.
However, Cr Sampey reassured the group that that would not happen.
“If we find that games are being played and they’re making it hard for the residents, we councillors will get involved because they’re running it for us,” she said.
“So down the track, the residents need to notify us councillors and it will be sorted out.”
Opened in 1977, Dandenong Oasis has undergone several renovations over its history, the most recent in 2003.
