Left: An artist’s impression of the coming Pakenham pool complex.By Paul Dunlop
THE new aquatic centre at Pakenham will be a “magnificent” facility and is well on its way to completion.
Councillors gave that assurance after a progress report on the $10 million facility was delivered to last week’s meeting.
Councillors said that, despite wind and rain slowing construction of the roof, there was still much being done.
A centrepiece of Cardinia’s capital works program, the new centre will feature three swimming pools including a 25metre eightlane swimming pool, a warmwater program pool with ramp access for exercise classes and water therapy, and a leisure pool with beach entry for children.
The facility’s new name and logo is set to be unveiled at a special function this Friday as preparations continue for an opening early next year.
Cr Helen Ward said that while people driving past the aquatic centre site on the Princes Highway may not notice a lot of the activity, an enormous amount of work was taking place.
The progress report said mechanical equipment installation was continuing, blockwork walls for the changerooms had commenced and tiling of the 25metre pool was complete.
Council was told the leisure pool steel framework had begun, the plant room roof was complete and the filtration system was being installed.
Construction has also begun on the car park.
Cr Ward said it was wrong to judge the project’s progress on the roof alone.
“There is a whole lot of work going on behind the scenes, beneath the ground and behind the walls,” she said.
“This council will deliver an aquatic and recreation centre that will be on time, to budget and one that will be absolutely magnificent.”
Cr Kate Lempriere said the pool project was only one of a number of “wonderful things” happening around the shire that would benefit the residents and ratepayers of Cardinia.
She paid tribute to colleagues and shire officers for the many capital works projects and other achievements.
“This council is to be commended for the hard work and hard decisions and amount of progress taking place to keep abreast of the infrastructure demands in the growth corridor at this particular time,” Cr Lempriere said.
