A new state-of-the-art aquatics and sports hub in Mernda is a step closer with the endorsement of a plan to finalise the scope of the facility.
The centre is being designed as a multi-purpose aquatic, leisure and indoor sports court facility in the heart of the city's booming northern corridor.
Administrator Ms Peita Duncan said the next step of the facility's planning was an opportunity to ensure community health and wellbeing outcomes would be met for decades to come.
"The centre will be a major driver in keeping the community active while maximising social, health and economic benefits," said Ms Duncan said.
Recent consultation with the community showed that overwhelmingly residents value the inclusion of lap swimming, warm water exercise, water play and learn-to-swim areas in the proposed facility.
"Understanding community priorities is critical when developing a holistic facility that caters to the diverse needs of our growing community," Ms Duncan said.
Council will now explore options that prioritise and balance all of these features.
"When planning for a multi-million-dollar facility like this it's critical that we get the concept right and that it's reflective of best-practice leisure principles and community health and wellbeing needs while also ensuring it has local economic benefit," said Ms Duncan.
Council will prepare a comparative feasibility analysis of two options - a 25m lap pool with wellbeing features and a 50m lap pool with wellbeing features - by July 2021.
This will provide the evidence required for a comprehensive business case to be developed that balances costs with community health and wellbeing needs.
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