The long-awaited upgrade of St Albans Leisure Centre is a step closer.
The upgrade was the centrepiece of Brimbank council’s 2018-19 draft budget, with $1.8 million set aside for planning for the project.
Mayor Margaret Giudice hoped the leisure centre, last upgraded in 1985, would be a regional attraction when works were completed.
“Through this draft budget, we are proud to support a once in a generation project to redevelop the St Albans Leisure Centre site in Taylors Road, Keilor Downs – by allocating $1.8 million for design of a brand new custom-built leisure and aquatic facility for our community to enjoy,” Cr Giudice said.
“The redevelopment of this ageing centre is an opportunity to improve the lives of future community members.”
It is expected the redeveloped centre will include a new leisure and aquatic facility, community centre and a range of health and social services.
The draft budget also features a capital works program of $57.7 million, covering road and footpath improvements ($21.4 million), town centre improvements ($5.1 million), sports facility upgrades ($9.8 million) and playground and parks enhancements
($5.2 million).
“This strong capital investment is taking place in an environment where we have a rate cap imposed by the state government, cost shifting, a reduction in grants and increased demand for services and facilities,” Cr Giudice said.
“As a community-first council, we place a high value on listening and responding to community priorities.
“During our budget planning, we asked you, the community, what your priorities were for this budget – you told us, and we have listened.”
