By Matthew Sims
The campaign in support of retaining the Laverton Swim and Fitness Centre [LSFC] has continued to build, with more than 450 Laverton residents signing a petition calling to save the pool from being decommissioned.
Help Save the Laverton Memorial Swimming Pool campaign co-ordinator Zara Evans said the group had 234 members so far, with 476 Laverton signing a petition calling for the facility to be retained at the time of publication.
“It was so great to see the turn out on the ‘Save Lavo Pool’ day on September 10 with over 60 people across the morning, with many donning the yellow campaign T-shirt and more amazing people placing #savelavopool signs in their front yards,” she said.
“Laverton pool and gym members just want and need a community pool and gym that is fit for purpose.
“It’s the heart of Laverton, our connection as a community where we can meet to swim or use the gym, that has history to our place, and to network with other families or even find support groups particularly with our VicSwim, Rainbow Club and Asian community groups that routinely use the pool and gym facilities.”
As previously reported by Star Weekly, Hobsons Bay council released a report in July highlighting that it “would neither be technically nor financially prudent” to retain the LSFC as part of the Hobsons Bay Aquatic Strategy 2019-30, which would include the construction of water play and youth facilities at McCormack Park to replace the LSFC and the $60 million Western Aquatic and Early Years Centre [WAEYC].
The report said while the facilities could be retained in its current configuration for a further 20 to 30 years with additional refurbishment and renewal works, a number of elements were reaching a limit of economic viability for the council to maintain or renew.
The petition will close on Thursday, December 22, with the petition available to sign at the pool, with door-knockers or at pop-up stalls.
