Hobsons Bay City Council has welcomed further commitments from state election candidates to a new aquatic and early years centre at Bruce Comben Reserve in Altona Meadows.
Independent candidate for Point Cook, Shwetali Sawant, has pledged to secure $40 million towards the project, while Labor candidate Mat Hilakari has promised $10 million.
The $60 million Western Aquatic and Early Years Centre is one of the key advocacy priorities identified through Council’s Advocacy Strategy 2021-25. Council, which has committed $20 million to the centre, is seeking funding partnerships with federal and state governments and is advocating for commitments from all local candidates nominating for the Victorian election.
The state-of-the-art facility will include an eight-lane 25m pool; a learn to swim pool; an aqua play splash pad, leisure water, and toddler pool; a wellness centre with warm water pool, spa and sauna; a gymnasium; change facilities; an early years’ service; café (indoor and outdoor seating); offices; and car parking.
It will have a strong focus on providing for people with a disability, specifically catering for people on the autism spectrum.
Mayor of Hobsons Bay, Cr Peter Hemphill, said it was vital to secure funding commitments from candidates.
“Ms Sawant has made a substantial pledge, which would go a long way towards bringing the Western Aquatic and Early Years Centre to fruition,” Cr Hemphill said.
“Independent candidate Joe Garra and Liberal candidate Angela Newhouse have also both pledged $20 million for the swim and early years centre.
“However, the centre is unlikely to go ahead if a Labor government was to only contribute $10 million, resulting in Hobsons Bay residents, particularly those in Altona Meadows and Seabrook, missing out on this key community facility.”
