Rally to push for pool

By Cherie Donnellan
SURF COAST Shire needs a councillor to “champion” a community group’s new push for a public aquatic facility, according a group spokesman.
Surf Coast Leisure Centre Action Group’s Tony Smales said a public pool had “huge” community support but “at least one councillor” must lobby State Government for funding.
“We’ve been fighting for this facility since 2006,” Mr Smales said.
“Strained council budgets in 2009 meant the project was unable to be funded but we believe it should be reconsidered.”
Mr Smales said Torquay and Jan Juc was the largest township in Australia without a public pool.
Residents would favour candidates at October’s council elections if they supported the pool push, he said.
“We’ve spoken to several councillors who seem interested in putting their support behind the project.”
The action group has called a community “rally” on August 19 to inform residents about the need for a public aquatic centre.
“The meeting is about gauging and harnessing community support,” Mr Smales said.
“We also want to revitalise the group itself because its members have changed since the campaign began in 2006.”
Group member Ron Lowe said Torquay’s rising population was increasing demand for an aquatic facility.
“A lot of newer residents might not be aware of our six-year battle to get this pool built,” Mr Lowe said.
“We’re encouraging new members to come to the meeting and throw their support behind it.
“More supporters will make a difference to our campaign and will present a stronger argument to the state and federal governments for funding.”
The most-recent plans for public access to an aquatic facility fell through when a private firm withdrew plans to finance a pool at Torquay College.
Surf Coast Shire councillors also unsuccessfully urged RACV in 2007 to offer public access to any pool included in its Torquay Golf Club redevelopment.