By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
CASEY is reporting record attendances at its 11 leisure sites, including Wilson Botanic Park Berwick and the Old Cheese Factory.
The botanic park’s recorded visitations have climbed to 455,000 in the 2015/16 financial year – a five-fold jump since 2011/12.
In the same period, Old Cheese Factory visits have doubled to 168,000 in 2015-16.
A total 3.8 million visits were recorded in the 11 facilities, including Myuna Farm, Casey ARC, Casey RACE, Berwick Leisure Centre, Doveton Pool in the Park, Endeavour Hills Leisure Centre, Casey Indoor Leisure Centre, The Shed Skatepark and the Casey Tennis Centre.
Mayor Sam Aziz said a sunset cinema series and live music at the botanic park had proved during summer.
He said new programs and events were being developed to continue the growth.
“Council anticipates attendance numbers to jump significantly to more than 4.3 million in 2016/17 with the $18 million redevelopment of (Casey Indoor Leisure Centre) and further enhancements to our programming and events,” Cr Aziz said.
The most popular facility Casey RACE – with the state’s largest learn-to-swim program – was visited more than a million times.
“Strong demand for gymnastics and ‘learn to swim’ programming has continued to drive attendance levels with participation increasing by 30 per cent and seven per cent respectively,” Cr Aziz said.
