Mernda Aquatic Centre concern sparks pool extension campaign

Thousands of people are fighting a council decision to build a multi-million-dollar aquatic centre without an Olympic sized pool in Melbourne’s north. Here’s how you can add your voice to hundreds of others demanding a better Mernda Aquatic Centre.

Whittlesea Leader is launching a campaign with Mernda local Ryan Hogan to have a 50m pool included in the Mernda Aquatic Centre plans.

Extend the pool.

That’s the message thousands of readers have backed on social media since Whittlesea Council revealed plans for a $48 million aquatic centre in Mernda did not include a 50m pool.

Last month, the council put forward seven options for the proposed aquatic centre between Erskine Rd and Everton Drive.

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None of them included a 50m pool.

Councillors have now narrowed down the plans to two options.

* A $47.4 million option would include a 300sq m warm water exercise pool, 200sq m teaching pool, 350sq m water play area, gymnasium, spa, steam and sauna and consult rooms, or;

* A $48.7 million option with a 25m, eight-lane pool, 170sq m warm water pool, 290sq m water play area, 100sq m teaching pool, gymnasium and two steam and sauna rooms.

Whittlesea Mayor Lawrie Cox says the council can’t afford a 50m pool, as a complex including it would cost around $80 million.

Mayor Lawrie Cox.

A 50m pool was included in Oak Park’s $27.3 million aquatic centre redevelopment last year.

East Keilor Leisure Centre has a new 50m and 25m pool costed in its redevelopment — for $49.9 million.

Craigieburn’s $35 million Splash Aqua Park and Leisure Centre and Greensborough’s WaterMarc ($52 million) also included 50m pools.

A 50m pool is considered vital, enabling thousands of students to compete locally at swimming school carnivals.

Currently they are taken by bus to pools in Coburg or Greensborough.

From today, you can join the Whittlesea Leader and the Extend the Pool in Mernda Facebook page in calling for the Mernda Aquatic Centre to have a 50m pool by signing the Extend the Pool Campaign petition.

Extend the Pool in Mernda co-ordinator Ryan Hogan says the message is simple; “A 25m pool is not a compromise.

“We need a 50m pool.”

Hundreds of others have shared similar sentiments, including Swimming Victoria Metro North vice-president Pierre Apap who warned neither option provided by the council would offer a “viable pool” for the community.

To back the Extend the Pool Campaign and sign the petition, visit: Split Bean Cafe, 1/59 Mernda Village Dr, Mernda.

If you would like a copy of the petition for people to sign at your school, business or club, email [e-mail]

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