Life in new pool

By Paul Dunlop
PAKENHAM’S $10 million new aquatic and recreation centre is expected to spring to life in June.
The facility, now at lockup stage, should be finished within eight to 10 weeks therefore raising the prospect of an official opening before the next school holidays.
The muchvaunted centre, called Cardinia LiFE, is the council’s largest ever building project.
It has been a constant topic of discussion — and debate — in the community since the project was first mooted several years ago.
Pakenham residents have watched with interest as the centre has taken shape alongside the indoor sports stadium at the Toomuc Reserve on the Princes Highway.
Council officials and user groups were taken on a tour of the facility yesterday (Tuesday).
Cardinia major projects engineer Steve Fernee said after some delays due to bad weather last year, work on the facility was going full steam ahead.
“Up to 50 people are working on the site each day. There’s so much happening it’s now like a beehive,” he said.
“It really makes you feel like you’re getting somewhere.
“We’re aiming for an opening in June and we’re fairly confident about that,” Mr Fernee said.
When completed, it is claimed the new recreation and aquatic centre will rival the best facilities in Victoria.
At its heart are three swimming pools; a 25 metre, eightlane swimming pool, a warm water program pool with ramp access for exercise classes and water therapy, and a leisure pool with a beach style entry.
The main and program pools have specially designed access ramps so people of any age or ability can take part in programs and activities.
There will be a fully equipped gym with modern cardiovascular and low impact strengthening equipment as well as a program room for aerobics and other activities.
The centre will be managed by the YMCA on behalf of the council.
Operating times are yet to be finalised but it is expected the new centre will open every day of the year except for Christmas Day and Good Friday. Hours are likely to be from early morning to late evening.
The costs to the centre’s users are also yet to be determined. YMCA Cardinia manager said the council was due to receive a recommended fee structure from the centre’s management, possibly within the next few weeks.
Ms Young said a public meeting would be held in May to update the community on the centre’s progress and also to provide information to potential employees.
She said it was exciting to have reached a point where the end of the project was in sight.
“We estimate it will employ about 80 staff including fulltime and casual staff,” Ms Young said.
The new centre has attracted its fair share of controversy in the community, particularly from residents pushing for Pakenham’s old outdoor pool to be restored.
But despite that debate continuing, the council is confident the public will have nothing but praise for the new facility when it is opened.
Council general manager of assets and development services Michael Ellis said the project was coming together well.
Central Ward councillor Brett Owen said he saw a role for both facilities. “Definitely, I think Pakenham can have both,” he said.
Disability access has been a big focus of the new centre’s design which has been welcomed by Outlook community services manager Anne McCormick.
Ms McCormick, who was on yesterday’s tour, said clients of the disability service provider currently had to be taken to Narre Warren or even Dandenong to go swimming.
“Local residents shouldn’t have to be travelling that far. I was very impressed with what I saw,” she said.
Ken Rich from the Piranhas Swimming Club of Pakenham said the aquatic centre was just what the community needed.
Mr Rich said that even if the outdoor pool was still operating, it could not cater for serious swimmers.
“It’s the best thing that could have happened for us,” Mr Rich said.
“People will be able to swim here 12 months of the year and you can’t do that in an outdoor pool.
“I think the community will be really surprised when they see how good this new facility is.”