LOGAN City Council will shut down the Eagleby Aquatic Centre, but it refuses to say exactly why.
MyCity Logan understands there are safety issues involved, including power lines suspended above the pool area.
When asked whether a feasibility study had been done to keep the pool open, the council’s spin doctors refused to answer.
“This matter was a confidential item in yesterday’s council meeting. A media release was issued yesterday.”
MyCity Logan has since learned no feasibility has been done, however cost of potential repairs was not a factor in the decision to close.
About $15 million is being invested by council to upgrade the pool at Beenleigh, something local councillor Karen Murphy has said is long overdue.
“It’s 33.3m long, it’s so old it’s been built in feet and inches,” she said of the Beenleigh facility which will become Logan’s second 50m pool.
Until August 15, council is asking what people want of the new Beenleigh pool – suggestions such as a diving platform, heating, a cafe, play area and child minding facilities are believed to be already in the mix.
And now, they’ll be asking what people want done with an old pool site.
The Eagleby pool facilities, open for about 30 years and now starting to erode, has traditionally been used by local schools, and change rooms are used by local sporting teams.
At last Tuesday’s monthly council meeting, councillors decided to make the decision behind closed doors, arguing a related safety issue deemed the matter confidential.
Cr Murphy advocated for the reopening of the Eagleby centre.
Council will now look for a new use for the Eagleby site, and will ask the community what they want put there.
The site was closed for winter and according to a council statement “is now approaching the end of its life and will not be re-opened as scheduled later this year”.
It was built by the former Albert Shire Council and expanded by Gold Coast City Council, before becoming the responsibility of Logan City Council after the 2008 council amalgamations.
“This facility has provided a wonderful service for the Eagleby community for many years but it is tired and dated and the time has come to close it down,” mayor Darren Power said.
Disappointed with council’s decision, Cr Murphy said she would work with the community to develop a new masterplan for the site.
“Council will reach out to residents, sporting organisations and schools in due course to ask for their ideas and feedback on the redevelopment of this important community site,” she said.
