Mernda Aquatic Centre campaign step closer to 50m pool win
Thousands of people fighting a council decision to build a multimillion-dollar aquatic centre without a 50m pool have won a major battle.
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A 50m pool at the Mernda Aquatic Centre is a step closer to fruition following a major backflip at a Whittlesea Council meeting last night.
Councillors voted unanimously in support of an urgent motion moved by Cr Tom Joseph to have costings and a report prepared into the viability of a 50m pool.
JOIN THE FIGHT: CAMPAIGN FOR AN OLYMPIC-SIZE POOL MAKING A SPLASH
THE $48 MILLION AQUATIC CENTRE NO ONE WANTS
MAJOR MERNDA PROJECTS GET GO AHEAD
The decision has been hailed by many on social media as a win for the people and the Extend the Pool Campaign because the majority of councillors said just four weeks ago that the council could not afford a 50m pool.
Speaking at the meeting, Cr Mary Lalios said it was “great” there had been a change of heart by some councillors.
“I’m definitely in favour of a 50m pool because there is no 50m pool in our municipality,” Cr Lalios said.
Council officers will now prepare a report including costings for a 50m pool, costings for a removable boom to divide the pool into two 25m pools, the cost of venue seating to enable competition events and the cost of making a 50m pool fully accessible for people with disabilities.
Leader and the Extend the Pool in Mernda Facebook page will continue a petition calling for the 50m pool until it is approved by the council.
Other items discussed at the meeting included a decision not to approve live streaming of council meetings and a decision to lease the Growling Frog Golf in Whittlesea at a maximum loss of $1.5 million over the next five years.
For more about last night’s council meeting see next week’s Whittlesea Leader.
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