Mernda Aquatic Centre: Ratepayers await council decision on 50m pool

Almost 1500 people have signed a petition calling for an Olympic-sized pool in Mernda. And its originator has vowed to name and shame any councillor who votes against the project.

Ryan Hogan and Maija Poljansek from Extend the Pool in Mernda.

An Olympic-sized swimming pool in Mernda would help bring vital job opportunities to the “struggling” area and help put the fringe community on the map, ratepayers say.

It comes after an overwhelming 1493 people signed a petition calling for a $48 million Mernda Aquatic Centre to include a 50m pool.

The petition will be presented to councillors at the next Whittlesea Council meeting on July 2, with the project’s costings to be made public a month later.

It is backed by the Leader in an Extend the Pool in Mernda campaign.

Extend the Pool in Mernda co-ordinator Ryan Hogan pleaded with councillors to “see sense” and vowed to “name and shame” any councillors who did not support the idea for the pool.

“There is currently no pool for swimming carnivals in Whittlesea,” he said.

Ryan Hogan says Whittlesea is in desperate need of major drawcards, and an Olympic-sized swimming pool could help achieve that. But he is calling on the council to listen to his pleas.

“People in this area have to travel out if they want access to a 50m pool — something almost every other council area in Melbourne gets to have.

“Any councillor which does not choose to support it will be named and shamed in the online campaign — they need to be held accountable.”

The council voted to explore two options for the aquatic centre between Erskine Rd and Everton Dr earlier in the year.

The $47.4 million option included a 300sq m warm water exercise pool, 350sq m water play area, 200sq m teaching pool, gymnasium, spa, steam and sauna and health consult rooms.

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The alternative $48.7 million option included 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.

But officers performed a backflip and voted unanimously to have costings and a report prepared into the viability of a 50m pool at a council meeting in March.

It followed mayor Lawrie Cox’s comments after he told the Leader council could not afford a 50m pool, as a complex including it would cost around $80 million.

“This area is struggling from high traffic and congestion and very little job prospects — we need to start doing something to help make Whittlesea great,” Mr Hogan said.

“That should start from the council listening to what the community needs and wants.”