Pool beefed up

By Tania Martin
MONBULK residents have been given an early Christmas present following an $837,000 funding boost for the redevelopment of the town’s swimming pool.
Sports Minister and Monbulk MP James Merlino made a splash last week when he announced the long awaited cash injection.
For the past four-years residents have been fighting for funding to upgrade the toilets, swimming pool and gymnasium facilities.
In 2004-05 the Shire of Yarra Ranges promised to spend $2 million on an upgrade of the aquatic centre.
But the funds were later diverted to the Monbulk community centre development.
This latest State Government cash boost comes after the council pledged $500,000 in its 2007-08 budget in June.
At the time the shire’s director of corporate services, Mick Cummins, told the Mail that the funds would not be taken away from the pool for a second time.
The council has also promised to spend a further $1.1 million on the pool redevelopment project in its 2008-09 budget.
Lyster Ward councillor Samantha Dunn said this latest funding announcement was fantastic news.
“We are over the moon and excited because so many people in our community use the pool,” she said.
“With this funding plus the council’s money we can move full steam ahead with the redevelopment.”
Cr Dunn said the swimming pool was a lynchpin for the community with more than 100,000 people a year attending the pool.
She said the funding would help revitalise the pool by improving the gymnasium space, upgrading the outdated toilets and change rooms and providing disable access.
Mr Merlino said there would also be a strong focus on environmental sustainability with the installation of a backwash water recycling system to water the adjacent sports oval.
He said the grant would help boost participation at the centre by increasing access to a range of services and programs for local residents. “This funding will breathe new life into the Monbulk swimming pool and provide a better facility for local residents to swim, play and socialise,” Mr Merlino said.
He added that the cash boost for the pool had been made available through the Better Pools program.
“This is a fantastic outcome and a direct result of state and local governments working together in partnership to benefit the community,” he said.
Cr Dunn said the pool would now go from strength to strength with the redevelopment.
“This is something we have worked on for a long time,” she said. “It’s also a great way to start the festive season.”
The redevelopment is expected to be completed by early 2010.