Liam McNally
A new outdoor swimming pool at the Brimbank Aquatic And Wellness Centre could be a step closer.
The Victorian Liberal party last week committed $10 million for an outdoor swimming pool if it is elected at November’s state election.
Opposition leader Matthew Guy made the announcement during a visit to Brimbank on Monday, September 19.
“A community facility is not complete without the outdoor pool so that’s why we want to give Brimbank 10 million dollars to do that,” he said.
The announcement was made after Mr Guy was taken on a tour of the facility, and shown the prospective site for the pool.
The centre, which Brimbank Mayor Jasmine Nguyen called “world class”, cost the council $60 million, supported by $2 million from the Victorian government.
Star Weekly has previously reported that Brimbank council intended to lobby state and federal governments to fund an outdoor pool as council has invested “significantly” in the rest of the centre.
Cr Nguyen welcomed the announcement.
“We thank the Liberal-National coalition for this generous contribution, should they be elected in November,” she said.
“We now call on the Australian Labor Party to match this commitment and to help to deliver even more benefits to our community.
“A lot of community members are still asking for an outdoor pool and we look forward to being able to provide one to further enhance this exciting new hub, regardless of which party wins the upcoming state election.”
St Albans Liberal candidate and Brimbank councillor Maria Kerr called the level of state funding for the original project “appalling.”
“As a teenager I would attend the St Albans Aquatic Centre, and the youth need it, they need somewhere to go in summer,” Ms Kerr said.
Ms Kerr said if elected the Victorian Liberals would deliver funding for the outdoor pool “straight away.”
“And we won’t stop there either,” she said. “We’ll be advocating for more facilities in the west.”
Within two weeks of opening, the Brimbank Aquatic and Wellness Centre has over 6000 facility members and 2000 students about to start swimming lessons in term four.
