Wran Leisure Centre at Villawood to shut despite pleas
Emotional pleas from parents and swimmers have been unable to save the “sinking” Villawood pool from closure, while Greenacre pool will also close.
The Express
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Canterbury Bankstown Council will close the ageing Wran Leisure and Aquatic Centre, as well as its Greenacre counterpart, despite protests from those using the only public swimming pool in Villawood.
In its place, the council plans to build a community centre at Thurina Park, Villawood, as a part of $170 million redevelopment plan for all six of leisure and aquatic centres over 15 years.
The council said the Wran Leisure Centre in Gundaroo St, Villawood, which was built in 1978, was structurally unsound, sinking and had cracks in several places, hastening the end of the once vibrant centre, which features an indoor 18m heated pool, children’s play area, tennis courts, squash courts, sauna and multi-purpose hall.
The council said it costs more than $500,000 annually to maintain the centre and because of low patronage (13,500 visits in 2018-19 compared to 17,593 in 2015-16), it costs around $37 per visitor, compared to around $4 in the more popular centres.
The Wran Leisure Centre closure will not be immediate but the elderly and those with disabilities have expressed fears that it will mean the end of their exercise and relaxation sessions.
The Greenacre Leisure and Aquatic Centre — which has been shut for the past three years — is also being closed permanently with the community to get a water park and enhanced play space at Roberts Park. No residents spoke out in opposition to the closure during Tuesday night’s council meeting.
The aquatic and leisure centres at Birrong, Canterbury, Revesby (Max Parker) and Roselands will be upgraded.
Bankstown state Labor MP Tania Mihailuk, one of the four people who spoke out against the closure of Wran Leisure Centre at the council meeting, said she was very disappointed with the decision.
“The Wran centre serves a diverse population of communities, including many living with disabilities and elderly individuals, a number of whom are from marginalised communities,” Ms Mihailuk said.
“The closure would result in closing down access to the only local pool for these residents.
“Villawood is one of the most disadvantaged communities in the state, without a single backyard pool.
However, The Express did a quick on Google Maps and counted at least three backyard swimming pools in Villawood.
“To lose a facility like this is a significant loss to an already struggling community.
“Significant local stakeholders, including Villawood East Public School, Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, Woodville Alliance and Chester Hill Neighbourhood Centre, have not been consulted or notified about council’s pending decision regarding the Wran Leisure Centre.”
The council, however, said it had contacted the schools and community organisations regarding their plans.
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Mayor Khal Asfour said the decision to close the Wran centre was taken in 2013 and they waited till they had a strategic pan for all six local leisure and aquatic centres before announcing the decision at Tuesday night’s meeting.
Councillor Asfour, interrupted several times by the public gallery when announcing the Wran centre decision, said it was not an easy decision but it had to be done.
“The Wran centre closure won’t happen for a few years and really the community wanted a better leisure infrastructure,” Cr Asfour said.
“We were elected to take tough decisions and we have to look at the greater good of the community.
“To rebuild a pool at the Wran centre will cost $30 million and we don’t have that money.
“We will not be selling the land.”
Councillor Alex Kuskoff moved a motion to adopt the strategy but remove references to the proposed closing and demolishing of the Wran centre. He wanted the council to explore options to revitalise the facility and reduce operating costs.
However, this motion was overwhelming rejected by a show of hands.
Villawood resident Carol Fulton, Woodville Alliance CEO Pam Batkin and Rainbow Club swim teacher and Bass High School P and C President Carol Tomkinson spoke of how much the Wran centre means to residents. They said their members either don’t like or won’t able to travel to the Birrong and Fairfield centres — the closest to the Wran centre.
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They said the small pool at the Wran centre, which according to council surveys is underused, was enjoyed by the elderly and people with disabilities who prefer the quietness and space to swim in peace.
The council consulted the community about all six leisure centres from November 28, 2018, to March 12, 2019, with many submissions concerning the closure of the Wran and Greenacre centres.