The pool: a decision to regret for generations?

Dear editor,

The council last night narrowly approved (4-3) the plan to build a 25-metre indoor pool and associated facilities on the Western Reserve.

I think this is a decision Castlemaine will regret for generations.

The Western Reserve is the only substantial piece of green open space in the middle of town, and it is vital to the feel of the town entrance. Victory Park is small, and activities there are very restricted. Look at the list of banned activities! On the Western Reserve you can kick a footy about, practise golf, enjoy the circus when it comes to town . . .

Once the Reserve is concreted over for the pool complex, car parks, etc. that green lung is lost forever.

The plan is to replace the present full-sized pool with a dinky 25-metre one, shallow and unsuitable for diving. It is expected to cost $16 million, and, being open all the year round, will be expensive to maintain and staff.

If, thanks to a few years of prudent financial management, the Shire can now afford $16 million for a little pool, would it not be better to save up for a few years longer and build a full-sized 50-metre one?

The Shire’s population seems set to grow substantially during the life of the new pool (estimated at 50 years). It won’t be long before a 25-metre pool is clearly inadequate. Then, if this plan goes ahead, we shall neither have an adequate pool, nor shall we still have a decently-sized piece of vital open green space in the middle of a what will be a more densely-populated town.

And I am very far from convinced that there is no viable alternative site for an indoor pool complex. What about the site of the present 50-metre pool? The Wesley Hill sports area? The proposed new Secondary College complex? A sports complex including the pool and a much better football/cricket pavilion at Camp Reserve?

Instead of concreting the Western Reserve for a pool complex we should be clearing its edges of the ragged mess of shops which now mess up half the Forest Street side of it.

I resigned from the National Trust when it failed to offer a whimper of protest when Jeff Kennett and Ron Walker chopped down the old elms in Albert Park to make room for Bernie Ecclestone’s Grand Prix circus. There are parallels in this case.

Yours,

David Cunningham
Castlemaine

Read more stories on the pools

Saving the ‘village green’? (12 April 2011)

A tale of two towns? (11 April 2011)

From the Mayor in March

Friday satire: Where’s the Circus gonna go? (11 March 2011)

Where’s the Circus gonna go? (10 March 2011)

The pool: a decision to regret for generations? (9 March 2011)

Council votes yes to pool (9 March 2011)

Chewton Pool good to go (25 February 2011)

Chewton raises over 17K (7 December 2010)

Cross purposes at Chewton – the ‘Aquatic Facility’ juggernaut rolls on (3 December 2011)

Dring to saving the Chewton Pool? (19 November 2010)

Fundraising weekend for the Chewton Pool (16 November 2010)

The pool saga continues (plus ca change) (4 November 2010)

Pool to stay (29 September 2010)

Stay the course, Cameron advises (28 September)

Don’t plan the funeral, we’re not dead yet (8 September 2010)

There’s a whiff in the air from Chewton (24 August 2010)

‘The issue is the dangerous and dilapidated condition of the pool’ (2 August 2010)

Who voted which way? (30 July 2010)

Concerned about the loss, but … (29 July 2010)

‘Only fools close pools’ (28 July 2010)

Proposed closure and demolition of Chewton Swimming Pool (26 July 2010)

Chewton is agitated (21 July)

A letter to Councillors (14 July 2010)

Surprise! Consultants find Chewton Pool ‘not serviceable’ (8 July 2010)

A protester speaks. Pic: Matt Wobbly. CLICK TO ENLARGE

Excuse me, you’re supposed to represent me, don’t do this (21 June 2010)