More than 12 months after being closed for upgrades and nearly six months after the work was finished, the Laverton Swim and Fitness Centre is finally set to re-open.
Hobsons Bay council announced on May 14 that the centre, which closed for renovations in March 2024, would officially re-open to the public on May 26.
Opened in the 1970’s, the Laverton pool needed significant works to ensure its long term safety and viability, with new change rooms, pool deck, gym, paintwork, equipment and cafe and reception area among the upgrades.
But after the redevelopment was finished in January, local residents became frustrated at continued delays in re-opening the facility to the public.
Among those to vent their frustration was Hobson Bay councillor and Laverton ward representative Paddy Keys-Macpherson, who used multiple council meetings to question council officers as to why the centre was still closed.
At the March 25 meeting, council’s director infrastructure and city services, Matthew Irving, attributed the delay to the finalisation of lease agreements and operations preparations.
At the meeting on April 29, acting director of corporate services, Ingrid Bishop, told Cr Keys-Macpherson that contractual negotiations between council and the pool operators were to blame for the hold-up.
But with those agreements and contracts finalised, Hobson Bay mayor Daria Kellander said the official re-opening on May 26 couldn’t come soon enough.
“We get to see the great work that has occurred over the last year to allow for the facility to re-open,” Cr Kellander said.
“Council recognises the importance of having facilities such as these to give our community opportunities to keep fit and active.
“The swim centre itself, having been built initially using funds raised by the Laverton community, is testament to the strong community spirit that thrives in Laverton and its surrounds.”
The re-opening of the Laverton pool carries extra significance given council’s recent decision to put the proposed Western Aquatic and Early Years Centre in Altona Meadows on hold.
Originally proposed as a replacement for the Laverton pool, the Altona Meadows project was paused in April after the initial cost estimate of $60 million blew out to $99 million.
