Pool future hits shallows

By Tania Martin
OLINDA swimming pool’s days could be numbered despite a council cash splash for a feasibility study.
Yarra Ranges Council is set to spend $512,000 on a feasibility study and associated works to turn the pool into a water play area.
The cash was announced as part of its 2010-11 budget and also included $51,500 for upgrades to Belgrave Swimming Pool.
For years Olinda residents have been fighting for against a council move to close the pool.
But Streeton Ward councillor Noel Cliff said there was no other option.
He said the money would be used to identify the best use for the pool and he believes that would to turn it into a water feature area.
“We want something we can use all year long,” Cr Cliff said.
But he said it wouldn’t happen without community consultation.
However, Cr Cliff has warned residents that the pool was running out of time and something needed to happen now or lose it for good.
“It’s such a mess and I just don’t have enough votes on the council to keep it open,” he said.
“It would take a massive amount of funds ($1 million) to restore it and there just isn’t the demand – that’s not going to happen.”
However, Cr Cliff has assured residents that the pool area would still remain a water source for the town’s CFA.
According to the council, attendance numbers have decreased from 5387 in 1999-00 to 2464 in 2009-10.
“I know everyone says they are going to use it but it doesn’t happen,” Cr Cliff said.
Shire spokesman James Martin said the council would undertake community consultation later this year on the pool’s future.
Belgrave Swimming Pool is also set for an upgrade with $51,500 allocated in 2010-11 and a further $463,500 earmarked for 2011-12.
Lyster Ward councillor Samantha Dunn said the cash would go towards fixing problems with the pool’s depth.
“It gets really deep quickly which means a lot of children can’t utilise it as much as we would like,” she said.
Despite the pool cash splash, Monbulk’s aquatic centre upgrade remains in limbo.
The council has allocated $1.5 million towards the project with a further $837,000 from the State Government but is still hoping to get Federal Government money.
A $2 million funding grant application is currently being assessed but the council does not know when a decision will be made.