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Y Get Involved In Bass Coast Leisure?Everyone with an interest in sport and recreation is being urged to provide feedback on the Aquatic and Leisure Centre Feasibility Study. By Bass Coast - 7th April 2011 - Back to News Bass Coast Shire Council’s Community and Economic Development Director, Steven Piasente, said the Centre in Wonthaggi was already at capacity.
"The Study shows that the Centre is not meeting the community needs," said Mr Piasente.
"People and clubs aren’t able to access the services and facilities they want. We are asking people to give us feedback on the findings of the study, so we can clearly establish whether our community believes this upgrade is necessary."
For more than ten years, the YMCA, in partnership with Council, has run the Centre. Ash Crimmins, Manager Bass Coast YMCA, says it is vital the community have their say about the redevelopment.
"We’ve worked hard to maintain a safe environment and use the exisiting facilities to the fullest, but services are really at their limit," said Mr Crimmins.
"The proposed developments would allow us to introduce more programs and bring new users to the centre."
Making a splash
During March, there were over 10,000 visits to the Centre. Mr Crimmins said there was a big need for improved aquatic facilities.
"There is a huge demand on the pool from clubs, schools, aqua aerobics and aquatic education classes, as well as the general public," explained Mr Crimmins.
"It is hard to juggle all the existing needs. For example, we have to limit our warm water programs to one day a week, as the heating in the pool needs to be turned up overnight for pre-school swim classes, exercise, aqua aerobics and rehabilitation sessions.
"Our aquatic education classes have children on the waiting list and we cannot offer more classes, because there aren’t enough lanes available.
"I know the clubs would like more access to lanes, but we simply don’t have any more space available."
Hitting the gym
The challenge to accommodate competing needs are similar outside of the pool said Mr Crimmins.
"Our group fitness sessions have to share space with other stadium users, including vacation care and the gymnatics program," explained Mr Crimmins.
"This is an area where there is a growing demand. If we had a dedicated space for the sessions, we would be able to expand our fitness classes program to cater for this.
A regional facility
Recent population figures show that Bass Coast is the fastest growing regional area in Victoria and the fourth fastest in the State.
"It is clear that Council needs to address the current issues of the Centre and plan for future needs," said Mr Piasente.
"People who use the Centre come from all across Bass Coast and the proposed redevelopment would create a regional facility.
"The upgraded centre could be renamed to reflect this."
Mr Piasente confirmed support for the redevelopment of the Aquatic and Leisure Centre did not rule out a facility on Phillip Island in the future.
Have your say
Residents have until 27 May to provide their feedback on the Feasibility Study.
A brochure summarising the Study and a feedback form is available at all Council Customer Service Centres and Bass Coast YMCA Centres, as well as a viewing copy of the complete Study. These are also available online at www.basscoast.vic.gov.au.
Feedback must be supplied in writing. You can register your feedback online, or mail the feedback form to Mr Allan Bawden, Chief Executive Officer, Bass Coast Shire Council, PO Box 118, WONTHAGGI 3995.
For more information contact:
Eleanor McKay
communications coordinator
t (03) 5671 2296 | f (03) 5671 2222 | m 0407 557 620
e e.mckay@basscoast.vic.gov.au
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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