NEARLY 60 Brimbank residents have called on council to keep Sunshine Leisure Centre’s outdoor pool open year-round.
Sunshine’s Kofi Osei has presented council with a petition bearing 56 signatures, asking for the pool and changerooms to be accessible for an additional seven months each year.
The 25-metre heated outdoor pool and children’s splash park are open from November 1 to March 31 each year.
But Mr Osei said the indoor pool became too congested during colder months, creating intense humidity, while changerooms and shower facilities were inadequate.
“There’s not enough room,” he said.
“The lanes can become very congested during the busiest times. I would like to see council keep the outdoor pool open all year round.
‘‘We’d also like to see the outdoor changerooms open at all times.”
Council’s director of community well-being, Neil Whiteside, said the cost of extending the operating hours would be significant.
“The estimated cost of operating the outdoor pool for an additional seven months would be more than $150,000, including staffing and pool running expenses,” he said.
“The pool would need to be operated and maintained 24 hours a day, even if the pool is not open for swimming.
“This includes the chemical treatment, cleaning and heating of the water; this impacts greatly on the total cost for the period.”
The petition will be presented to council administrators on June 25.
