RESIDENTS’ disappointment at the closing of the Long Gully Swimming Pool was expressed at a meeting held at the Long Gully Oval pavilion last night, organised by City of Greater Bendigo councillor Peter Cox.
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But Cr Cox said there would be no activism against the closing of the pool such as what was seen last week at the Golden Square Swimming Pool, when protesters lined the fence to prevent trucks entering the facility.
Cr Cox said 20 residents attended the meeting and most were disappointed at how the council had not maintained the Long Gully facility over many years.
“People expressed their frustration and I can understand – they are losing their facilities,” he said.
“They say they are paying their rates but they’re not seeing the recreational facilities maintained.”
But Cr Cox said although residents were disappointed the pool had to be closed due to its poor condition, they would ultimately accept the council’s decision.
He said the situation is very different to that of the Golden Square Swimming Pool because the community was consulted two years ago and an alternative option in a new splash park was proposed.
“It’s a very different story to Golden Square pool from the point of view that council actually consulted with this community two years ago,” he said.
Council recently received a petition from over 1200 people to keep the pool open.
“It was decided the way forward was to spend money on a new facility such as the splash park than plough money into the old pool.”