By Cam Lucadou-Wells
A principal devoted to improving school services in Doveton and Hallam has added his support to retaining the threatened Doveton Pool in the Park.
Greg McMahon, executive principal at Hallam Senior College, was on a Casey Council working party to develop a “vision” of the pool’s future.
He was blindsided by the council’s bombshell proposal in March to demolish the outdoor pools for parkland.
“The reaction from all of us was we were a bit bemused. A pool was always part of our discussions then suddenly it wasn’t.
“The key is it’s still open for discussion so we’re still pursuing the idea that there’s a pool for the community.”
He and others such as Doveton-Eumemmerring Township Association, Doveton College and Our Place had put a “great deal of thought” into an alternative vision.
Their submissions, rejected by Casey, were to relocate Doveton Library to the site, with a new 25-metre ‘indoor-outdoor’ pool that could be used all year round.
It would make the heritage-listed pool a “central identity”, a hub of Doveton, Mr McMahon said.
“The pool is the one thing kids say they do in the summer. It’s a really important symbolic area and a massive recreational area in Doveton.”
It’s hard to gauge demand due to the current outdoor pools being open only on days of or above 30 degrees Celsius in December-March.
Mr McMahon said formerly threatened public pools such as Fitzroy had become vibrant recreational areas.
“With the need for more housing stock in Dandenong, I can’t see Doveton not regenerating over time.
“It may take a generation but you have to be thinking for the next generation.”
An enclosed pool would take away the vagaries of weather, which had made it impossible for schools to book in learn-to-swim programs, Mr McMahon said.
“Our kids really need to know how to swim. Every student is supposed to learn to swim.
“But not knowing when the pool would open or close was an issue.”
An on-site library would also be prime position for the 650 students at the adjoining Doveton College, Mr McMahon said.
The submission also included a fitness centre, kitchen, allied health offices and meeting rooms at the pool.
A Casey Council report, in rejecting the proposal, stated there were sufficient council community facilities in Doveton such as the community hub and library in Autumn Place.
There were also “accessible” aquatic centres at Dandenong Oasis, Casey ARC and Noble Park Aquatic Centre, the report stated.
Mr McMahon had led the acclaimed transformation of the adjoining Doveton College.
The “success story” comes from providing a learning space for families, not just students.
He says a hub at the pool would provide much-needed additional space for the college’s “wraparound services” including adult education, allied health and early childhood learning.
“Doveton College exceeded all expectations. That was because of the vision of people like (philanthropist) Julius Colman.
“All we want is a bit of vision for what this (pool) land will be for the next generation.”
According to a Casey Council report, the Doveton outdoor pool was an “over provision of aquatic facilities and services” which lost $190,000 from July 2019-March 2020.
The report stated that Doveton-Eumemmerring’s 12,347 population was too small to justify a $40 million redevelopment including an indoor pool.
According to the council, the pool attracted 3717 casual visitors and 15,190 during swimming carnivals in the 2019-’20 season.
By 2026, a further $1.94 million would be required to maintain the pool, let alone upgrade it, the report stated.
It instead recommended a $4 million option for free water-play equipment in a park and social gathering space.
Currently, Casey is conducting a $90,000 public consultation on its draft concept plan.
The plan suggests playgrounds, a water play splash-pad, barbecues and a group shelter instead of pools on the site.
Public feedback is invited on the council’s Casey Conversations website until Friday 14 May Details: conversations.casey.vic.gov.au.
