Swimmers desperate to remove the dome at Kilsyth pool

SWIMMERS at Kilsyth Centenary Pool are desperate to ditch the dome and dive into a redevelopment but Yarra Ranges councillors are yet to decide on the future of the complex.

Kilsyth pool (dome )

SWIMMERS at Kilsyth Centenary Pool are desperate to ditch the dome and dive into a redevelopment but Yarra Ranges councillors are yet to decide on the future of the complex.

Lilydale Swimming Club head coach Ben Craven said swimmers wanted an urgent upgrade of the building.

Mr Craven said while the pool was perfect for swimmers, the canvas dome structure caused significant issues, particularly in summer.

“From our swimming club’s point of view being able to train in a 50m pool is fantastic in terms of being the lifeblood of our club,” Mr Craven said.

“But in the summer it becomes an incredibly hot, humid environment that can be almost unbearable for people outside the water.

“For me personally, and the lifeguards, we are out of the pool all the time – the lifeguards are constantly wearing ice blocks on their necks.”

Would you like to see the Kilsyth pool upgraded?

Councillor Andrew Witlox said he and several other councillors would love to see a redevelopment at the pool go ahead to create a permanent, steel-framed structure replace the outdated inflatable canvas.

He said investigations would need to be done on the pool to ensure it would last for many years to come and anticipated it would cost about $9 million to upgrade.

“If the results are positive I’d like councillors to agree to allocate budget (for the redevelopment) before the election period,” Cr Witlox said.

Cr Jim Child was more hesitant about the project.

He said councillors needed to determine the value of the Kilsyth centre, given pools cost the ratepayers a lot of money.

Lilydale Swimming Club head coach Ben Craven said swimmers wanted an urgent upgrade of the building.

Mr Craven said while the pool was perfect for swimmers, the canvas dome structure caused significant issues, particularly in summer.

“From our swimming club’s point of view being able to train in a 50m pool is fantastic in terms of being the lifeblood of our club,” Mr Craven said.

“But in the summer it becomes an incredibly hot, humid environment that can be almost unbearable for people outside the water.

“For me personally, and the lifeguards, we are out of the pool all the time — the lifeguards are constantly wearing ice blocks on their necks.”

Councillor Andrew Witlox said he and several other councillors would love to see a redevelopment at the pool go ahead to create a permanent, steel-framed structure replace the outdated inflatable canvas.

He said investigationswould need to be done on the pool to ensure it would last for many years to come and anticipated it would cost about $9 million to upgrade.

“If the results are positive I’d like councillors to agree to allocate budget (for the redevelopment) before the election period,” Cr Witlox said.

Cr Jim Child was more hesitant about the project.

He said councillors needed to determine the value of the Kilsyth centre, given pools cost the ratepayers a lot of money.