Acid test for pool

By Paul Dunlop
PAKENHAM’S outdoor pool will be the focus of new tests to establish once and for all whether it can be saved.
Cardinia Shire Council last week acted on its postelection promise to throw the ageing facility a lifeline.
Councillors agreed to engage a consultancy firm to provide a detailed assessment of the pool’s condition and determine what it would take — and cost — to restore it.
The move follows the recent formation of a new council and community working group set up to act on longrunning efforts to save the pool, closed since it was declared unsafe in 2001.
Aquatic Consulting will report on the condition of the hydraulics and filtration systems at the pool and provide information relating to the expenditure required for a restoration.
The council agreed to spend up to $25,000 on the exercise, possibly more if necessary. The money will come from funds previously set aside to decommission the pool.
Central Ward councillor Brett Owen said the recent heatwave highlighted the need for an outdoor pool in Pakenham.
“It would have been fantastic (if it could have been open during this summer),” he said.
“We need an outdoor pool.”
Cr Owen said engaging the consultants was the start of the process to reopen the pool and encouraged residents to get involved.
“We definitely need everyone’s support for this to get off the ground,” Cr Owen said.
Mayor Bill Ronald said representatives of Aquatic Consulting had already walked over the pool’s Anderson Street site and had a look.
Work had already begun on testing after the pool was filled to capacity last Monday to determine whether there was any leakage, he said.
After the pool closed when it was found to have major structural and occupational health and safety problems, its future has been a constant source of debate and discord in the community and around the council table.
A concerted campaign to have the pool reopened led to the formation of a Save the Pakenham Pool committee, which had been negotiating with council to reopen the pool.
The previous council stopped short of declaring the Anderson Street facility officially closed but, with the $10 million Cardinia Aquatic and Recreation Centre project made it clear its pool priorities lay elsewhere.
The latest moves reflect the new council’s determination — spearheaded by Cr Ronald — to return council’s focus to the 50metre pool built as a community initiative after the 1956 Olympics.
Cr Ronald was unable to make good on his pledge immediately after the elections to have the pool opened by Christmas but council is seeking the assessment of the facility’s condition with a view to having the pool open for next summer if possible.
Ranges Ward councillor Ed Chatwin supported the move but added a cautionary note to the discussion at council’s 23 January meeting.
Cr Chatwin said the bid to save the pool was dependent on whether it was worth the effort of saving.
“It’s been standing idle for five years,” he said.
Cr Ronald said he visited the Kooweerup Pool during the recent spell of hot weather and believed the crowds of children having fun would be even greater in his home town.
“I shudder to think how many children would be having a great time in a 50metre outdoor pool in Pakenham.”