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Leeming Pool to Remain Closed While City Considers Redevelopment Plans

Published Date: 02 October 2008, 12:00 PM

The City of Melville has decided to keep the pool at Leeming Recreation Centre closed for the time being even though the State Gas Crisis has eased.

The City does not believe it is suitable to re-open the pool prior to a decision being made on the proposed redevelopment of Leeming Recreation Centre.

Mayor Russell Aubrey said the City closed the pool in June as part of its efforts to reduce gas and energy consumption during the State Gas Crisis. “The pool was a big user of gas for pool and space heating and the closure has helped the City save a significant amount of energy,” he said. “We do not believe it is in the best interests of the community to re-open the pool at this stage as it would not be possible to run a full swim program and would also require significant maintenance to prepare the pool for public use. We will wait until a decision on the redevelopment has been made.”

It is likely the Council will meet in late October to decide whether to accept the initial proposed redevelopment and call for tenders or proceed with an alternative proposal which may include the closure of the Leeming Recreation Centre.

Mayor Aubrey said the escalating costs of construction brought on by the WA economic boom at a pace of 10.5 per cent and the skills shortage had prompted the City to re-assess development options to ensure the best outcome for the community was achieved.

Health and Lifestyle Services Manager Todd Cahoon said after closing the pool at Leeming Recreation Centre, the City had been able to move almost all swim school and other programs to Melville Aquatic Fitness Centre. “Most of the staff have also been accommodated at Melville Aquatic,” he said. “All other programs and facilities at Leeming Recreation Centre continue to run as normal.”

Leeming Pool

Posted by Gavin Hoffman at 02 October 2008, 01:42 PM
Quit giving us the run around Melville. I live near Leeming Pool and I want to know when I'm going to be able to go swimming in there again. There's a new government now, so who the hell cares about the gas that was alloted to the Carpenter Government? As far as I can tell, Overlord Barnett has a brought a fresh supply of gas to WA, so let's start using it! Re-open Leeming Pool!

Leeming Recreation Centre Pool Closure

Posted by Rob Duncanson at 06 October 2008, 01:49 PM
Mayor Russell Aubrey, in the last council elections you ran on the ticket of “I saved the Leeming Recreation Centre” and now you are putting out releases that the pool will not be reopened and the centre may close. To a sceptic it would appear that you’re strategy is to let the centre wither on the vine and then if you take it away hopefully nobody will notice. With numerous delays in the work program and the prolonged closure of the pool there does not appear to be a lot of energy or commitment to the centre by the council. Why don’t you show some commitment to the centre and open the pool?

In the Local Planning Strategy the Leeming Recreation Centre is referred to as a “critical piece of social infrastructure”, can we please get our critical infrastructure back without any more delays?

Leeming Recreation Centre

Posted by Robert Shack at 07 October 2008, 04:31 PM
The constant procrastination over the future of the LRC shows an inability on the part of Council to manage the affairs of the City competently and in the interests of the rate payers. The pool, being the most costly part of the complex, will not re-open. Clearly, the remainder of the facility cannot continue in use indefinitely (refurbished or not) with the disused pool joined to it. The news letter is obviously the start of a gradual let-down for the remaining patrons, to the time that the closure is announced.

Leeming Recreation Centre

Posted by Gina Jones at 21 October 2008, 08:08 AM
I'm extremely disappointed to hear of an 'alternative proposal' wich 'may include the closure of the Leeming Recreation Centre.' As a frequent user of the centre in the past, I was delighted to hear about the upgrade and was prepared to wear a bit of 'short term pain' while the facilities underwent a much-needed revamp.

We moved to Leeming around a year ago and chose this location as a great spot to bring up a family based on the access to many facilities in the area. This included close access to the recreation centre, avoiding the need for us to join pricey gyms to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

With government organisations and the media consistently communicating the importance of regular exercise in maintaining a healthy community I would think that broad community access to convenient and accessibile community centres such as this to be extremely relevent and vital.

I personally would appreciate being updated on this issue as I'm sure many other residents would. I don't want to wake up one day and read in the local paper that the Leeming Rec Centre has closed.

leeming recreation centre

Posted by joe at 23 October 2008, 08:19 AM
I am saddened to hear that at height of economic boom, our council is so keen to cancel and close a long established community centre. We deserve better, creating new centres are far more expensive and none is planned. Exiting recreation centre must be maintained and upgraded for the community and future generations or is the land value more attractive than the cost of upgrading?

Leeming Rec - Pool Closure Unacceptable

Posted by Tim and Stephanie at 27 October 2008, 07:35 AM
The Leeming Rec Centre with POOL facility would have been a significant factor for people deciding to purchase in the area. The CLOSURE of the POOL affects PEOPLE and SCHOOL and DECREASES HOUSE PRICES. It is cost prohibitive to move. We find it unacceptable to then loose that amenity that was part of the decision of moving into the area. Are the savings of the Leeming Rec Centre to go back into that area of the community or somewhere else in the City of Melville? How do we start a PETITION to SAVE the POOL facility? What community consultation and notification of public discussion has occurred?

Leeming Recreation Centre

Posted by Dave at 05 November 2008, 07:08 AM
Leeming Recreation centre was due to close for refurbishment in May this year. That decision has been delayed over and over again leaving it’s users to play a guessing game as to when we need to find a new home. In September we were told a decision would be made at a Council meeting at the end of the month. What a surprise to find this meeting was delayed! Then we were told the decision would be made at the end of October. Here we are in November still waiting. It would appear the council are waiting for the patronage to drop off so they can close the centre permanently with the least fuss. I hope this isn’t the case but I have my doubts. A definite date for the decision would be much appreciated by all, If not maybe an explanation could be provided to explain why the Council can’t make a decision on this subject.
Dave