Pool is treading water

Casey councillor Wayne Smith, left, with former Cr Rafal Kaplon in 2016 when the council was looking at ways to revamp Doveton's public pool. 157969_01 Picture: CAM LUCADOU-WELLS

By Brendan Rees

Doveton pool’s future remains in limbo until Casey Council embarks on another round of community consultation next year.
The City of Casey is reviewing the options and opportunities to upgrade the facility in line with community needs, and “maximise what the site can achieve”.
Councillor Wayne Smith told the council’s meeting on Tuesday 3 October that the concept of closing the pool had been raised over the years and “never been received well.”
He said council would ultimately like to make the pool indoor heated.
“If we can attract some state and federal funding that would be our aim.
“Doveton is a very long established community and they some of the elderly people who don’t use the pool would fight to death to keep that pool so it’s very important to improve it,” he said.
He said council was looking at revitalising the water play area.
“It’s not adventurous enough. We want to expand it and make it more interesting. And make that a destination so you’re not just coming just because of the pool. Young families would come because of that play area.
“We need to do something to revitalise it. We need to work collaboratively with the community,” Cr Smith said.