The $11m plan to revamp water play in the east: Council commits to work at Payneham centre, save 50m Norwood pool

AN eastern suburbs council will spend as much as $11 million revamping local pools, creating a water-play park at one. It’s also committed to saving a decades-old pool, tagged for a major downsize.

Long-time Norwood swimmer Suzy Ramone is pleased the 50m pool will be retained. Picture: Keryn Stevens

THE decades-old Norwood outdoor pool will remain 50m long after a proposal to halve its length as part of a major overhaul of the centre was rejected.

Norwood, Payneham & St Peters Council has agreed to spend up to $3.2 million to upgrade the Phillips St centre and retain its six-lane, 50m pool, as well as develop a new, smaller learn-to-swim pool.

The council will also upgrade its swimming centre at Payneham, agreeing to spend up to $8.5 million on a water-play park, wading pool and fountains.

The council has spent several months discussing the future of its two ageing swim centres, receiving almost 180 submissions in response to a call for community feedback.

More than 96 per cent of those respondents wanted both pools to remain open.

Suzy Ramone, of Stepney, who has swum at Norwood for more than 30 years, was pleased with the council’s decision to retain the pool’s length.

She said cutting it to 25m would not have worked.

“I am happy because the residents obviously really care about having a 50m pool,” Ms Ramone said.

“It’s fantastic the council is supporting the desire of the residents.”

Up to $8.5 million is to be spent at the Payneham centre on a water-play park, wading pool and fountain.

Councillors also voted against a staff recommendation to reduce the Norwood centre’s operating hours, closing it from 9.30am-3.30pm.

Kensington resident and regular swimmer Amanda Balmer said reducing the operating hours would have only made pool users worry about the centre’s long-term future.

“It’s a great outcome,” Ms Balmer said.

“I appreciate that there has been times when the pool is not heavily used.

“But hopefully with the upgrade it will encourage broader community usage.”

The six-lane, 50m pool will be retained at Norwood, and a smaller learn-to-swim pool will be built as part of a $3.2m spend.

The We Love Norwood Pool Facebook page also applauded the decision.

“The restriction of opening hours idea has been defeated. Hallelujah!” said a post on the page.

Speaking at last week’s meeting, Cr Christel Mex said a reduction in hours would be “a backward step”.

She also asked staff to develop a marketing strategy for both Norwood and Payneham swimming centres to increase the usage and make more people aware of the pools.

An inflatable obstacle course, to be used on weekends and school holidays, would also be installed at Norwood under the upgrade plan.

The council was yet to develop a timeline or exact costings for the upgrades.

Staff would prepare a final report for the council later this year.