Michaela Meade
A 50-metre swimming pool may finally be built in Mernda, with a report on the long-awaited Mernda Sports Hub to be considered at tonight’s council meeting.
The hub on Plenty Road will house leisure, aquatics and sports court facilities.
The aquatic centre has been a contentious issue for the community, with plans for the centre presented to the former council a number of times in 2019.
Councillors initially opted to develop business cases for a centre with and without a 25-metre pool, but the decision resulted in community backlash, with residents calling for a 50-metre pool to be included in the centre.
At the time, the council said it couldn’t afford a 50-metre pool.
Then, in December, 2020, Whittlesea council’s administrators resolved to investigate two new designs for the centre – one with a 25-metre pool and the other with a 50-metre pool.
Financial forecasting at the time revealed the overall cost of the centre, including $55.7 million for a 50-metre pool, would be $80.3 million compared to $75.6 million for a centre including a $51 million 25-metre pool.
A report set to be tabled at council tonight states that the overall leisure, aquatics and sports court facility would cost over $113 million.
The report recommends council endorse the project, including the 50-metre pool.
The council will also consider selling council-owned property at 17-19 Johnsons Road, Mernda.
This would be after the development of a 35 lot plan, with three lots to be allocated for social housing.
A follow-up report will also be tabled at the meeting outlining community feedback received in regards to the possibility of council leasing vacant land at 1f Ashline Street, Wollert to a community housing organisation.
The officer’s report on the matter recommended further community engagement about the proposal.
In April, Star Weekly reported that close to 1000 people had signed a petition calling for the council to abandon the plans.
The council will also consider the development of Granite Hills Major Community Park.
According to the officer’s report, the park would be a “gateway” to Quarry Hills Regional Parklands.
The costing options outlined in the report ranged from $6.8 to $7.9 million.
The council meeting will commence at 6.30pm tonight, and will be livestreamed via the council’s website.
Details: www.whittlesea.vic.gov.au/about-us/council/council-meetings
