New life for pool

By Paul Dunlop
PAKENHAM’S outdoor pool will be rejuvenated in an $800,000 makeover that pool supporters have hailed as a dream come true.
Council ended six years of speculation and debate about the 45yearold pool’s future, deciding firmly in favour of restoring the facility last Monday.
Residents at council’s meeting broke into loud applause when councillors cast their vote.
A large, propool crowd packed the public gallery to see the muchanticipated debate.
Mayor Bill Ronald left no doubt about his feelings on the issue, describing the decision as a “great day” for Pakenham.
Work on the pool fix is expected to begin in January. The sixmonth project will see the facility ready to open next summer.
Elphinstone firm Peter Farley Pool Maintenance was given the $600,000 contract for the rejuvenation of the outdoor pool.
Nar Nar Goon’s Woftam Group will refurbish the buildings, including the toilets and first aid room, at the Anderson Street facility at a cost of around $200,000.
The project will see construction of a wet deck around the pool, a new children’s play pool, solar heating system and the replacement of pumps, pipes and filters.
Changeroom facilities will be upgraded with new staff rooms, first aid facilities and upgraded carparking, shade and seating.
Council debated the issue for about 30 minutes before reaching its decision.
Emerald Ward councillor Graeme Legge cast the only vote against the pool fix.
Councillors Ronald, Brett Owen, Ed Chatwin, Kate Lempriere, Bill Pearson and Doug Hamilton all voted in favour.
The decision was made easier by the major political parties who created a splash during the State Election campaign with pledges of funding for the pool fix.
But debate over the decision will no doubt continue to rage in the community and on council.
With over $11 million already spent on the new Cardinia LiFE aquatic and recreation centre in Pakenham, critics of the move questioned councillors’ priorities.
They said ongoing pressure on the shire’s finances and growing demand for infrastructure in other towns must now give ground to a facility that will be open for only a few months of the year and continue to cost ratepayers in years to come.
But Cr Ronald said delivering for the community should rarely be outweighed by economic rationalism. “Without a shadow of a doubt the people want it and I believe they deserve it,” he said.
Councillors Owen, Ronald and Chatwin all spoke strongly in favour of the pool reopening, maintaining a stance they have taken since the shire elections last November.
Cr Lempriere voted in favour after weighing the economic argument against the “soul of the community”.
Cr Hamilton, who also previously questioned the value of the project, remained unconvinced it was a responsible decision but said the funding windfall promised by the Liberal and Labor parties decided his hand.
Cr Bill Pearson did not speak during the debate. Cr Legge said he supported a new outdoor pool in Pakenham but not an expensive fix for an outdated facility.
Cr Ronald said the ongoing saga of the pool had been one of the biggest issues on council over the past six years.
He paid tribute to Save the Pakenham Pool committee president Dot Murphy and others who have fought long and hard to reopen the pool.
“This is a reward for the people who have persevered,” Cr Ronald said.