Derelict Cranbourne Swimming Pool has become a haven for vandals
A former Cranbourne swimming pool that was due to be turned into a cinema has instead been left to ruin, and vandals have left such a mess over the past decade it’s now unrecognisable. SEE THE PHOTOS
South East
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A filthy, derelict community swimming pool has been continually trashed, set alight and is strewn with rubbish as plans for a cinema have fallen through.
The former Cranbourne Swimming Pool – once a prized local asset – has been deteriorating for 10 years but neighbours were hopeful of a clean-up when a cinema for the site was proposed by developer TM Design Group in 2016.
>>> Do you have photos of the pool in its heyday? Send them to suzan.delibasic@news.com.au
No work was ever started and while the Committee of Management says there are a couple of options being considered for the site, they wouldn’t disclose what they were.
People living close to the “eyesore” are calling for it to be urgently demolished.
The Cranbourne Leader found that most of the hoarding had been stripped off, with several sections damaged, allowing easy access into the building.
The building is on Crown land and owned by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning.
Scott De Piazza, a member of the Cranbourne Bowls Club, which is next door, said the community had ongoing concerns about the site.
“There’s been fires at the site and we’ve had concerns about it for a long time. It’s a real eyesore – I don’t know why nothing has been done about it,” Mr De Piazza said.
“I used to use the pool with my family, it was a great spot and I was very upset when it shutdown and now the state that it has become is just so terrible for the community.”
A Cranbourne woman, who asked not to be named, said the building had become a haven for young teens to run amok.
“I went there as I was told my son was hanging around with a bunch of other teens at the site. We found broken glass, syringes – it was disgusting. I hope the site can be knocked down as soon as possible as it’s dangerous,” she said.
Neil Bainbridge, group secretary of the Committee of Management – a group of nine appointed by DELWP to manage the land — told the Leader the committee was aware of the problems.
“It appears that people who want to gain access to that site have broken their way in illegally and we are working closely with the government to resolve the issues,” Mr Bainbridge said.
A Victoria Police spokeswoman said police provided proactive patrols and responded to specific incidents as reported.
“No fire incidents at this location have been officially reported to police,” the spokeswoman said.
Casey Council growth and investment manager Kathryn Seirlis said the council understood the relevant committee of management had made efforts to make the site safe while it decided on the future of the building.
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“Council officers have met with DELWP, the committee of management and Victoria Police in relation to how immediate safety concerns can be addressed. Council is committed to working with and supporting these stakeholders in finding a solution to the future of the site.”
The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning and TM Design Group have been contacted for comment.