Sport and recreation groups across Western Australia will share more than $15million in State Government grants under the latest round of the Community Sporting and Recreation Facilities Fund (CSRFF). One sixth of this total (46 projects to be supported) will go towards the redevelopment of the Mandurah Aquatic and Recreation Centre. This facility presently has two heated 25m pools, a heated toddler pool, gymnasium, a group fitness studio, a four-court multi purpose stadium, three squash courts, a cardio theatre, circuit studio etc.
Announcing the 2012-13 grants, Terry Waldron, Minister for Sport and Recreation and Deputy Leader of the Parliamentary National Party, said
“Recreation and aquatic centres are often the hub of our communities and the Government’s investment in this facility reflects our understanding of its importance to the people in the Peel region.”
It’s important here in the Great Southern too!
The people of the Peel region are indeed fortunate to have such a powerful advocate. Less than one year ago the Minister opened the $7.5M Murray Leisure Centre at Pinjarra, only 20km down the road from Mandurah. This aquatic facility has an eight lane 25m pool, a large leisure/toddlers’ pool and a 60m2 hydrotherapy pool (Bulletin #783).
The State and Federal governments contributed 55% of the Pinjarra cost, the Shire 30%, and benefactors provided the balance. It is only 26km north of the Waroona Aquatic Centre which also boasts a 25m six lane pool.
This shows what can be achieved with good advocacy and a positive outlook. More than a year ago, the Shire of Toodyay (similar to Denmark in population) decided to make the aquatic centre its number one priority in the sport and recreation area.
As a result that Shire last month released for public comment the Concept Plan for its ‘Health and Well Being Centre’ … a plan for an 8-lane 25m pool, hydrotherapy, physiotherapy, allied health, gymnasium, meeting room, outdoor splash area etc. It is a multi-stage development estimated to cost $17.1M. Initially the 25m pool will be open air and therefore seasonal, but it will become enclosed in the $3.7M third and final stage.
There’s much food for thought here. We already have much of what Toodyay would like … we’re basically just missing out on the aquatics. DACCI is currently working on an alternative configuration that avoids the duplications implicit in the consultant’s $8.2M concept plan, trimming perhaps as much as $3M from the estimated cost.
With a sound case and powerful advocates we could repeat Pinjarra’s coup of getting 55% State and Federal government funding for our proposal. A little help from benefactors would of course speed up the process.
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