A community group fears it will lose the Sunshine Leisure Centre crèche, following a decision by Brimbank council late last year to close the centre’s cafe.
The council will close the cafe on March 24 due to dwindling profits, despite a petition with 103 signatures calling for its retention.
“Despite denials from council, we also feel this type of cut to the facility may be a stepping stone to closing the creche at the pool,” a Save Sunshine Pool (SSP) spokesperson said.
“We must not accept diminished facilities for our community.”
The group has asked if the council had called for tenders to run the canteen, and if trimming spending on entertainment, food and alcohol would keep it open.
Council’s community wellbeing director Kath Brackett said the cafe had been losing more than $75,000 annually since 2011-12.
The council will investigate the possibility of using food trucks at the centre next summer. As it stands, the cafe will be replaced with basic tea and coffee facilities.
SSP group members say, with Brimbank’s high rates of diabetes, the decision to close the cafe is wrong. Diabetes Australia’s Victoria Diabetes Epidemic Report of 2011 found nearly one in five Brimbank residents aged 55 years or more has diabetes.
“What happens if, after strenuous exercise, one of these people finds themselves desperate for some food to prevent falling into trouble?” a SSP spokesperson asked.
Ms Brackett said the money saved by closing the cafe could be “redirected into other council services to benefit the community”.
