Media Releases 2010
Collingwood Pool to stay closed for redevelopment
02 March 2010
Yarra City Council announced today that the Collingwood Leisure Centre’s pool, aquatics facilities and associated crèche would remain closed to the public due to ongoing structural concerns about the Centre’s roof.
The pool was closed last Wednesday (24 February) to allow Council to conduct further structural assessments on the ageing roof, which is more than 30 years old and is in need of replacement.
Following further assessments today, Council decided to keep the pool closed until work on the Centre’s $6.3 million-plus redevelopment was complete, which is expected to be around the end of 2011. The roof is due to be completely replaced as part of the works.
The gymnasium and group fitness areas will remain open to the public during this time.
Yarra City Council’s Acting CEO Tom Evans said Council had increased services at its Richmond and Fitzroy leisure centres to assist patrons who would normally use the aquatic and crèche facilities at Collingwood.
“We have acted quickly to minimise any disruptions to our members and users,” Mr Evans said.
He said the crèche at the Fitzroy Swimming Pool would open five days a week, while additional aqua aerobics classes have been added at the Richmond Recreation Centre to cater for the additional demand.
“Council is in the process of writing to the Centre’s members to inform them of the closure and let them know about some of the alternatives available,” Mr Evans said.
Mr Evans said full members and aquatic members at Collingwood would be able to cancel their membership without charge, or could continue to use the aquatic facilities at Yarra’s Fitzroy or Richmond centres.
Parents with children enrolled in the ‘learn to swim’ program at Collingwood will be given priority enrolment at the Richmond Recreation Centre, or can cancel their enrolment without any fee.
“We wrote to members in late November 2009 advising them of the planned redevelopment and to let people know the Centre was likely to close in April,” Mr Evans said.
“As a precautionary measure Council has decided to bring the closing date forward by two months due to concerns about the structure of the roof.”
Council is awaiting the outcome of a planning permit application for the redevelopment, with a decision expected in late March or early April.
Based on this timeline, Council is hopeful that works would commence by July, if not earlier.
Council’s other aquatic facilities are located at the Richmond Recreation Centre, in Gleadell Street, Richmond (phone 9205 5032), and the Fitzroy Swimming Pool, Alexandra Parade, Fitzroy (phone 9205 5180).
For information about additional services, opening hours and classes, visit www.yarracity.vic.gov.au/Leisure.
For media enquiries about this issue, please contact:
Ainslie Gowan
Coordinator Communications and Public Relations
Richmond Town Hall
333 Bridge Road Richmond
Telephone 9205 5177, 0400 933 700
ainslie.gowan@yarracity.vic.gov.au
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